Today, our nation will be celebrating the 87th Air Force Day at the Hindon Air Force Station in Ghaziabad. The Indian Air Force (IAF) was established by the British Empire, formed under the Indian Air Force Act on 8th October 1932. Post the independence in 1947 was called but when India turned Republic in 1950, the prefix Royal was removed.
As per the recent update, IAF is the fourth most powerful air force in the world post the United States, Russia and China. With around 1, 70,000 personnel and 1,500 aircraft, IAF is the fourth largest air force in the world after the US, Russia and China. The Indian air force is also the seventh strongest air force in the world. IAF flag is blue in colour and contains the National Flag in the first quadrant and a roundel of the Tricolour was adopted in 1951. Ever since 1933, the IAF Roundel (logo on the planes and IAF flag) has changed at least four times.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to social media and wrote, “Today, on Air Force Day, a proud nation expresses gratitude to our air warriors and their families. The Indian Air Force continues to serve India with utmost dedication and excellence.”
IAF chief Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria had released a promotional video which showcases the story of the Balakot airstrike from earlier this year that targetted a terrorist camp in Pakistan. We also get to see that fighter jets taking off, dropping missiles and radars zooming in to targets.
The video also includes a voiceover in which narrative speaking about retaliated the Pulwama terror attack of February 14 in which 40 jawans of the Central Reserve Police Force were killed. Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji had given a free hand to the Defense Force to give befitting reply to the attack, which was carried out by the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad.
The Indian Air Force put the plan on action on 26th February, Mirage-2000 fighter jets left from different airfields in India. The fighter jets propelled smart bombs that beleaguered Jaish-e-Mohammad’s largest terror facility, located in Balakot in Pakistan’s Kyber Pakhtunwa. In retaliation, Pakistan Air Force sent their fighter jets into India. But the Indian Air Force successfully was able to destroy a pack of its Sukhoi Su-30 and MiG-21 fighter jets.
This also led to Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman was also shot down and was taken as a prisoner by Pakistani Forces. But he was released after two days, also held to lay a crucial role in cooling strains between India and Pakistan.
To make the celebration more special, we will get to see remarkable air display which will consist off vintage and modern transport aircraft and frontline fighters. The air display will start with flag-bearing skydivers of the famous Akash Ganga team dropping out of an AN-32 aircraft in their colourful canopies.
Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman and other IAF jawans led a formation of the MiG-21 Bison during Indian Air Force Day celebrations at the Hindon Air Base. The MiG-21 Bison is an upgraded version of the Soviet-era fighter jet.
The occasion is also more special and historic as Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will take delivery of India’s newest multirole fighter jet Rafale in France and also will be performing ‘Shastra Pooja,‘ before officially receiving the first Rafale today.
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