The Indian Air Force (IAF), which came into being on April 1, 1932, is celebrating its 76th founding day today. It was originally founded by Air Marshal Subroto Mukherjee, who took over as the first Indian Chief of Air Staff (CAS) on April 1, 1954. The IAF took off as a tiny fleet with four Westland Wapiti Army co-operative by-planes, six RAF trained officers and 19 Hawai Sepoys. Today, it is seen as the fourth largest Air Force in the world with a highly technical and specialised fighting force that safeguards our skies against enemy invasions.
The anniversary was celebrated at the Hindon Air Force base on the outskirts of the national capital with full enthusiasm and pride. Though I was present there as a media person, I felt like a child who had suddenly found her whole dreamland, which truly allured me. Nowadays we often say that we youths are forgetting our heroes or losing the feelings of patriotism, but the view in front of me today had sufficient enough to behold anyone. It was certainly an event which helped me recall the glorifying history of my motherland.
The programme began at 7:30 am sharp with an air display by 52 aircraft that formed part of the Air Force Day Parade-cum-investiture ceremony. Air display started with Para Motor and NCC operated aero models performing prior to the sky diving display during which sky divers of the Akash Ganga team jumped from an AN-32 aircraft. Many young officers participated in the wonderful Para sport event. It was charismatic as if suddenly humanly figures had been given beautiful wings, which helped them enjoy the varsities of space and unending blue sky. The audience was full of applauds and cheers for the Para riders. Aircrafts flew at heights from 60m to 300m above ground level. The areas over which aircraft flew at low levels were Wazirpur Bridge-Karwalnagar-Afjalpur-Hindon, Shamli-Jiwana-Chandinagar-Hindon and Hapur-Philkua-Ghaziabad-Hindon.
The next ceremony – the ceremonial parade in the marching grounds – persuaded me to be more observant and watchful. The marchers were all looking extremely handsome in their blue dresses, which were a total contrast against the lush green backgrounds. The view was marvelous and helped me understand the significance of being an Indian. The Air Force Day Parade commenced with Ensign formation of three MI-17 helicopters in Vic formation trooping the Air Force Ensign at a height of 60 metres and speed of 80 kmph, closely followed by Vic formations of three each Bison (Mig-21), Vijay (Mig-23), Vajra (Mirage 2000) and Baaz (Mig-29) aircraft. This was followed by three Sukhois in Vic formation. The formation pulled up steeply in front of the dias carrying out upward and outward maneuvers. It was the farewell ceremony for Mig-23 (Vijay).
The parade was relaxed during the arrival of the three Defense Chiefs – General Deepak Kapoor (Army), Admiral Sureesh Mehta (Navy) and Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major (Air Force), who took over as the Chief of the Air Staff from Air Chief Marshal SP Tyagi on April 1, 2007. Besides them, the first Air Marshall Arjan Singh also made his presence felt. He was the only officer of the IAF to be promoted to Five Star rank (in 2002), equal to a Field Marshal. It is noteworthy that with the death of Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw in June 2008, Arjan Singh is the only present living Indian military officer of Marshal rank.
The ceremonial parade also included several acrobatic performances involving guns, which enthralled the audience into giving a round of applause. The next maneuvers by the well-known `SARANG` helicopter display team, comprising four ALH helicopters, left the audience, including me, spellbound.
The grand finale was a scintillating formation of aerobatics ballet by the renowned Surya Kiran Aerobatics team (SKAT). They took off in front of the audience followed by a breath taking display of synchronised low level maneuvering in close formation with the vibrant colours of red, blue and green.
Talking to reporters after the grand ceremony, Air Force Chief Fali Homi Major said in response to a question whether the IAF has upgraded itself to the standards of other countries: “Indian Air Force has taken some very confident steps forward in becoming a true Aerospace Power. It has projected powers incredibly within its zone of influence with precision, speed and high intensity against a variety of objectives by seamlessly integrating all their assets to achieve very compressed decision cycles. The government has been extremely supportive in making this happen.”
Commenting on the internal security disturbance in the country, the Air Force chief said, “Today’s youth must be enigmatic and dynamic then only they can help in the nation’s growth. Progressive mind is necessary or it will only enlarge the rift between progressive and destructive minds.”
On the question of women officers in the Air Force, he said that his force is trying to provide special privileges to females but added that to inculcate the rules properly they needed time.
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