Indian Air Force Day is celebrated on October 8 every year. Every year, the Air Force Day is celebrated at Hindon base in presence of the IAF chief and senior officials of the three armed forces. These celebrations include an air display where the most crucial and vintage aircraft put up a magnificent show. The Indian Air Force (IAF) is the air arm of the Indian armed forces with the primary mission to secure Indian airspace and conduct aerial activities during armed conflicts. More than 170,000 personnel are in service with the Indian Air Force. Its personnel and aircraft assets rank fourth amongst the air forces of the world. Also known as ‘Bharatiya Vayu Sena’, the IAF was officially established on October 8, 1932, by the British Empire. The President of India holds the rank of Supreme Commander of the air force. The Chief of Air Staff, an air chief marshal is responsible for the operational command of the air force.
“Indian Air Force” words filled with pride. It is all less to speak about the Indian air force after being knowing all about it. On 8 October 2020 Indian air force compete its 88th year with pride, honor, and dignity. India showcases its air power at the annual air force day celebration. It is not the less than the Indian army and Indian navy which all forms the three pillars of Indian Defence.
This year Indian air force will not celebrate its’ anniversary like any normal year. This year is the year when the Indian air force got its back supported by 36 Rafale Jets, which were bought from France with a long time of waiting. But this year they finally arrived.
The Rafale is a 4.5 generation, twin-engine omni role, air supremacy, interdiction, aerial reconnaissance, ground support, in-depth strike, anti-ship, and nuclear deterrence fighter aircraft, equipped with a wide range of weapons.” Five Rafale fighter jets were formally inducted into the IAF on September 10, in a major boost to India’s air power capability at a time when the country is engaged in a tense border standoff with China in eastern Ladakh.
The Indian Air Force has carried many operations as followed :
1947 War with Pakistan
The Independent Royal Indian Air Force came within months of August 15 after a full-blown war took place on the issue of Kashmir. The Operation was unique in the sense that this was the first time the transport aircraft of the IAF saw full-time deployment in operations. India defeated Pakistan in the very first battlefield engagement. Fighter squadrons gained exposure and experience of operating in the mountainous environment.
1961 Liberation of Goa, Daman and Diu from the Portuguese (Operation Vijay)
In December 1961, India undertook military action to evict the Portuguese rulers out of the enclaves of Goa, Diu and Daman and eventually succeeding ending more than 450 years of Portuguese rule in India. All the three sections of the Indian armed forces participated in this Operation. The Indian Air Force bombed the runway of Dabolim Airfield (Goa International Airport) and cut off the Portuguese territory from outside control or interference
1965 War with Pakistan
The battle between India and Pakistan. The Indian Air Force was numerically superior with 28 combat squadrons to PAF’s 11. This particular operation saw some of the fiercest engagements on air since World War-II. In spite of Pakistan’s technological superiority, the IAF made sure they held the upper hand. In all, IAF lost 59 out of its inventory of 460 aircraft while PAF lost 43 of its 186 aircraft during the war. The last line tells us the whole story. Right?
1971 War with Pakistan
The IAF achieved remarkable success as it achieved complete air superiority in the first 48 hours. Every Indian knows what happened at the end of this war. In addition to that, the IAF helped the Indian Army and Navy by providing massive air support. A total of 94 Pakistani aircraft were shot down. The war in 1971 revealed the true air-air combat capabilities of the MiG-21. India emerged victorious both in terms of objectives attained and losses/gains versus the enemy.
1984 Operation Meghdoot
was the code-name for the Indian Armed Forces operation to capture the world’s highest battlefield Siachen Glacier. Indian troops managed to gain two-third of the glacier with the rest remaining under Pakistani control.
1999 Kargil War (Operation Safed Sagar)
This was the first time in the history of military aviation that airpower was used at a height of up to 32,000 feet by the IAF. IAF’s Mirage 2000 aircraft which carried out surgical operations to assist ground troops in securing the strategically crucial Tiger Hill from its Pakistani captors. Operation Safed Sagar started on May 26, 1999, and on July 11, 1999, all the military objectives were achieved. Undoubtedly, this conflict was a milestone event in Indian military history.
2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami
The IAF reached the eastern coast of India within an hour of the destructive tsunami hitting the western coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. They helped in relief operations as well as in search and rescue.
2005 Kashmir Earthquake
An earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale struck near Muzzafarabad in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir on October 8, 2005. IAF sent tonnes of relief materials immediately including army medicines, blankets, and food packets.
2013 Uttarakhand Floods (Operation Rahat)
Operation Rahat was the biggest civilian rescue operation in the world. IAF played a crucial role in providing food and medicines to the innumerable amount of people. ‘Operation Rahat’ saw close to 20,000 people being airlifted. In the absence of IAF, it would have been very difficult to provide the people with all the necessities required to live.
2015 Nepal Earthquake (Operation Maitri)
Operation Maitri was the relief operation in Nepal by the IAF in the aftermath of the 2015 Nepal earthquake. Let’s spare a moment for the great uniformed personnel who sacrificed their today for a better tomorrow. Jai Hind!
To know more about Air Force Day and about the onlu Paramveer Chakra Awardee Nirmaljeet Singh Sekhon click here.
