Air Force Day: Indian Air Force celebrates 87th anniversary at Hindon base; Chinook and Apache helicopters debut
On this day, Union Minister of Defence Rajnath Singh will also be acquiring the first of the 36 Rafale aircrafts for the IAF, marking an important milestone in the history of the armed forces.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) on Tuesday celebrated its 87th anniversary on Air Force Day 2019 at the Hindon Air Base in Ghaziabad. The heads of the three services of Indian Armed Forces attended the event after they paid their tributes at the National War Memorial in New Delhi on the occasion of the Indian Air Force Day. Three newly-acquired Chinook transport helicopters were also flown in the 'Chinook formation' at the Hindon base during the event. This was followed by Indian Air Force officers, who participated in the Balakot airstrike, flying the three Mirage 2000 aircraft and two Su-30MKI fighter aircraft in the ‘Avenger formation’.
Saluting the Indian Air Force heroes and their families on the occasion of 87th Air Force Day, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday said that IAF is a 'symbol of valour and courage'.
"Indian Air Force is a symbol of valor and courage. On Air Force Day, I salute our Air Force heroes and their families. Entire nation is proud of your dedication and commitment to safeguard our motherland," Shah tweeted.
Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind, too, expressed their pride and admiration for the country's defence air wing.
Modi took to Twitter to post a tribute video for the Indian Air Force, and said, "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."
President Kovind honoured the air warriors in his tweet, "On Air Force Day, we proudly honour our air warriors, veterans, and families of the Indian Air Force. They safeguard our skies with courage and commitment. India remains forever indebted to the brave men and women in blue for their selfless devotion and sacrifice."
The heads of the three services of Indian Armed Forces -- Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Bipin Rawat, Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) Admiral Karambir Singh, and Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) Air Chief Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria -- today paid their tributes to mark the day when the Indian Air Force (IAF) was officially established.
Marshal RKS Bhadauria said today at the Air Force Day event that the strategic importance of the Balakot airstrike is the resolve of political leadership to punish perpetrators of terrorism. He said that there has been a major shift in the government's way of handling terrorist attacks. Further stressing on the importance of defence installations during the current conditions, he said, "Present security environment in the neighbourhood is a serious cause of concern. The Pulwama attack is a stark reminder of the persistent threat to defence installations."
The IAF, the air arm of the Indian Armed Forces, was established on this day 87 years ago, i.e. on October 8, 1932, and has evolved to become a major force to be reckoned with in securing the Indian airspace and in conducting aerial warfare during armed conflict.
This year, on this day, Union Minister of Defence Rajnath Singh will be acquiring the first of the 36 Rafale aircrafts for the IAF, marking an important milestone in the history of the armed forces.
Also Read: Rajnath Singh in France: Defence Minister to receive first Rafale jet today; full schedule, timings
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