Air Force Day 2021: President Kovind, PM Modi greet air warriors

NEW DELHI: On the occasion of the 89th Air Force Day, President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh exchanged pleasantries on Friday. The Indian Air Unit was founded on October 8, 1932, as a support force for the Royal Air Force of the United Kingdom.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is the country’s air force and the world’s fourth largest. It is led by an Air Chief Marshal (ACM), with the President of India serving as the Armed Forces’ Commander-in-Chief.

The celebrations are taking place at Hindon Air Force Station in Uttar Pradesh’s Ghaziabad. Three paratroopers with the Indian Tricolor and the IAF flag were observed flying down from the skies. This was a representation of the Tangail airdrop operation, which took place during the Vietnam War in 1971. Three paratroopers, including one from the Army, jumped from a vintage Dakota transport plane in a re-enactment of the legendary mission.

The formations with call signs relating to the areas and persons involved in the 1971 war, in which India defeated Pakistan and led to the birth of Bangladesh, will be part of the IAF Day parade.

Air Force Chief of Staff Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari inspected the parade for the airbase’s 89th anniversary. On the occasion, he also presented officers with the Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry).

The 89th Air Force Day parade at Hindon airbase was also attended by Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat, Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh, and Chief of Army Staff General MM Naravane.

Chief of Air Staff Unit Citations were presented to three units on Air Force Day 2021, including the 47 Squadron for its role in operations along the Pakistan border following the February 26, 2019 Balakot airstrikes and in the Ladakh area opposite China for extended high altitude missions.

On the occasion of the IAF’s rising day, President Ram Nath Kovind wished the soldiers and other officials well. “On Air Force Day, greetings to air warriors, veterans, and their families. The nation is proud of the Indian Air Force, which has repeatedly demonstrated its competence and capabilities in both peace and conflict. I am confident that the IAF will continue to uphold its valued standards of excellence “On Twitter, he stated.

The 2021 IAF Day parade will pay respect to the heroes of the 1971 war, in which India defeated Pakistan and Bangladesh was born.

Sekhon formation would fly one Rafale, LCA Tejas, Jaguar, MiG-29, and Mirage 2000 fighter over the parade in honour of its lone Param Vir Chakra awardee, Nirmaljit Singh Sekhon.

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