Wishing you all a very happy Indian Airforce Day, it is celebrated to spread awareness around the globe about IAF as an organization that works towards strengthening national security.
As a proud moment for country this year marks 89 years since IAF's foundation was on this day in 1932, the Air Force in India was officially recognized and raised as a supporting force for the Royal Air Force of the United Kingdom.
How is this day celebrated ??
This special day is celebrated at the Hindon Air Force Station in Uttar Pradesh's Ghaziabad city, the celebrations will be held in the presence of senior officials of the three armed forces along with the IAF chief.
This year Indian Air Force Day parade will pay tribute to all the unsung heroes of the 1971 war in which India defeated Pakistan and thus led to the creation of Bangladesh, during the grand parade , the IAF will also include certain foundations with call signs related to people involved in the war and the places.
Indian Air Force also known as Bhartiya Vayu Sena its first operational regiment came into being in April 1933, only after its involvement and participation in World War II, the Indian Air Force got recognized as the Royal Indian Air Force.
The Indian Air Force is the most crucial organ of the Indian armed forces which plays a vital role in the wars fought by the country, its primary mission is to secure Indian airspace and conduct several aerial activities during armed conflicts within the nations.
The Indian Air Force has actively taken part in several wars since independence including four wars with Pakistan and one with the People's Republic of China.
Lesser Known Facts about Indian Air Force Day -
1. The Indian Airforce (IAF) has ranked the fourth largest operational air force in the world only the US, China and Russia are ahead of India.
2. The motto of the Indian Air Force is 'Nabham Sparsham Deeptham' which means 'Touch the Sky with Glory' IAF adopted its motto from the eleventh chapter of Bhagvad Gita.
3. The Indian Air Force employs over 1,400 aircraft and about 170,000 personnel.
4. IAF has always taken part in relief operations during natural calamities in the country, including the Gujrat cyclone (1988), the tsunami (2004), and floods in North India. However, IAF made a world record while rescuing civilians stranded during Uttarakhand flash floods. The mission was named 'Raahat' during which the IAF rescued about 20,000 people.
5. IAF even works with the United Nations in peace keeping missions.
6. IAF has included a significant number of women fighter pilots, women navigators and women officers who provide their services to the Indian Air Force even the Rafale fleet of the Indian Air Force has a women fighter pilot.
2021- Indian Air Force Day Celebration glimpse
Parade Organized by Indian Air force.
About the First Indian Women Pilot in Air Force -
Flight lieutenant Gunjan Saxena was the first Indian Air Force women officer who went to war, she made history during the Kargil War in 1999 when, as a flying officer, she flew a Cheetah aircraft into the combat zone and rescued several soldiers. In her book 'Kargil :Untold Stories From the War', author Rachna Bisht Rawat describes how Gunjan flew over the battleground, covering the Kargil- Tololing- Batalik area, often flying over "mountainous terrain where Indian and Pakistani soldiers are firing at each other" to ferry wounded soldiers. A women in control of a fighter jet did ruffle some feathers but it wasn't long before her presence was welcome and male pilots treated her with respect and bonhomie, the book says during the Kargil war, the IAF pilot had a close save when an enemy missile missed her aircraft and crashed behind it she however, continued her duties.
This tale of bravery and courage inspires every women around the globe and teaches and spreads the message that 'women are not less than men'.
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Very good and informative