The Indian Air Force (IAF) Day is celebrated every year on October 8 and on Thursday the IAF will proudly observe its 88th anniversary. On the occasion, a scintillating air display by various aircraft will be the hallmark of the Air Force Day Parade cum Investiture Ceremony at Air Force Station Hindan (Ghaziabad) near Delhi.
On the ocassion, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh wished the air warriors and their families. Taking to Twitter, he wrote, "I am confident that the IAF will always guard the nation's skies, come what may. Here's wishing you blue skies and happy landings always."
My felicitations and best wishes to the air warriors and their families on the occasion of Air Force Day-2020.
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) October 8, 2020
Eighty eight years of dedication, sacrifice and excellence mark the journey of the IAF which is today a lethal and formidable force to reckon with. #AFDay2020 @IAF_MCC pic.twitter.com/jo0t1dIv20
- The Indian Air Force (IAF) Day is celebrated every year on October 8 and on Thursday the IAF will proudly observe its 88th anniversary.
- On the occasion, a scintillating air display by various aircraft will be the hallmark of the Air Force Day Parade cum Investiture Ceremony at Air Force Station Hindan.
- IAF's frontline warplanes like Rafale, Su-30MKI, Apache, Tejas, 'Gajraj' will showcase its lethal firepower.
IAF's frontline warplanes like Rafale, Su-30MKI, Apache, Tejas, 'Gajraj' will showcase its lethal firepower. 56 aircraft, including 19 fighters and seven transport aircraft along with 19 helicopters, would be taking part in aerial display during this year's Air Force Day Parade, according to a press release by the IAF.
The Rafale fighter aircraft would fly in the ‘Vijay’ formation along with the Jaguars and then in the ‘Transformer’ formation with the Sukhoi-30 MKI and Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas fighter aircraft during the IAF Day parade this year.
Date and time of the event:
The Indian Air Force Day will be celebrated on October 8 (Thursday) at the Hindon Base in Ghaziabad. The ceremony usually starts at 8 am and continues till 11 am.
Why Indian Air Force Day is celebrated on October 8?
Since 1950 the IAF has been involved in four wars with neighbouring Pakistan and one with the People's Republic of China. Other major operations undertaken by the IAF include Operation Vijay, Operation Meghdoot, Operation Cactus and Operation Poomalai. The IAF's mission expands beyond engagement with hostile forces, with the IAF participating in United Nations peacekeeping missions.
The IAF is the air arm of the Indian Armed Forces and its primary mission is to secure Indian airspace and to conduct aerial warfare during armed conflict. Its complement of personnel and aircraft assets ranks fourth amongst the air forces of the world. During the event, IAF chief and senior officials of the three armed forces are present. An air show by various aircraft is displayed by the pilots.
The President of India holds the rank of Supreme Commander of the IAF. The Chief of Air Staff, an air chief marshal, is a four-star officer and is responsible for the bulk of operational command of the Air Force. There is never more than one serving ACM at any given time in the IAF.
However, this year the events related to Air Force Day celebrations have been scaled down due to ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The regular scheduled events related to veterans at Delhi/NCR has been cancelled.
An official statement read, "Events related to Air Force Day celebrations have been scaled down due to ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic. Accordingly, the regular scheduled events related to veterans at Delhi/NCR stand cancelled."
