Touch The Sky With The Glory, 84TH INDIAN AIR FORCE DAY (IAF).
On Indian Air Force Day, We salute the guardian of our skies, protector of our Nation. Keep flying high and keep the Indian flag flying high!
Indian Air Force IAF was set up on 8 October 1932 as an auxiliary air force of the British Empire. The prefix Royal was included in 1945 in recognition of its services in the course of World War II. After India achieved independence from the United Kingdom in 1947, the Royal Indian Air Force served India, with the prefix “Royal” being dropped when India became a republic in 1950.
Here are mind blowing facts about Indian Air Force (IAF).
1. Operation Rahat (2013) was the biggest civilian rescue operation ever executed in the world.
2. The first major war fought by IAF was not for India
The allies who were trying to stop the strong axis power. Indian Air Force, known back then an auxiliary of Royal Air Force of Britain, performed a crucial role in WWII by preventing the progressing Japanese military in Burma, in inclusion to undertaking air strikes in opposition to Japan in Thailand. It was while in this important period that Indian Air Force extended and obtained new war aircraft.
3. One of the Strongest Air Force in the World
The IAF started off by H. C. Sircar, Subroto Mukerjee, Bhupendra Singh, A. B. Awan and Amarjeet Singh being commissioned as ‘Pilot Officers’. Currently, Indian Air Force is known as one of the strongest air forces in the world.
4. Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon
Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon is the only member of the Indian Air Force to have been honored the Param Vir Chakra, India’s highest military decoration.
5. IAF is the world’s fourth largest air force.
India maintains the fourth largest air force in the world. The fourth largest air force in the world with around 170,000 personnel and 1,500 air crafts.
6. IAF operates from outside India
IAF operates an Airbase which is located in Parkar, Tajikistan named “Farkhor Base
7. The Indian Air Force has a Special Forces unit
The Indian Air Force has a Special Forces unit known as ‘The Garud Commando Force’ which was established in 2004. The Counter Insurgency (COIN) Operations and Emergency unit was shaped by the IAF in response to terror threats to airfields by terrorists across the border.
8. The Indian Air Force actually never directly engaged the Pakistani Air Force in 1947 war.
But was vital in the transport of troops of Indian Army and air support.
9. Gants was known as ‘Sabre Slayers’.
In 1965 war, IAF Gnats piloted by brave officers cut down Pakistani Sabres with such ferocity that the Gants came to known as ‘Sabre Slayers’.
10. India is developing the 5th generation Sukhoi PAK FA in a venture with Russia
It will be the most lethal fighter jet in the world alongside the US F-22.
11. India’s first woman Air Marshal was Padmavathy Bandopadhyay
She served as the Director General Medical Services (Air) at the Air Headquarters.
12. The 1st Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Air Force, Air Marshal Sir Thomas Walker Elmhirst, produced the IAF an independent service under no control of the Army.
Prior to the independence of India, the Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army worked out control over the Air Force too. Air Marshal Elmhirst was also instrumental in switching an incomplete air force into a cohesive fighting machine.
13. The honourary rank of Marshal of the Indian Air Force is the greatest achievable rank and is equal to the rank of Field Marshal of the Indian Army.
Arjan Singh is the only officer to have attained this rank.
14. The Air Force has over 60 air bases spread all over India.
These are grouped into 7 commands.
15. Siachen Glacier AFS (At 22,000 ft) is the highest Air Force Station of the IAF.
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