Indian Air Force Day: IAF Celebrates Its 90th Anniversary

India celebrates 8 October as Indian Air Force Day. This time, the Indian Air Force is celebrating its 90th anniversary. The day and its commemoration are a source of pride for Indians and ignite a patriotic fervour among the populace for the Indian Armed Forces personnel. Air Forces not only protect Indian airspace during times of cross-border conflict, but they also carry out rescue operations during disasters. The President of India is the Commander-in-Chief of the IAF.

On the occasion of Indian Air Force Day, prime minister Narendra Modi tweeted, “My greetings to the courageous air warriors and their families. In line with the motto, the Indian Air Force has shown exceptional dexterity for decades. They have secured the nation and also shown remarkable human spirit during disasters.”

Defence minister Rajnath Singh also tweeted, “Greetings and best wishes to all courageous IAF air warriors and their families on the Indian Air Force Day. The IAF is known for its valour, excellence, performance and professionalism. India is proud of its men and women in blue. Wishing them blue skies and happy landings.”

Celebrations of IAF Day took place this year in Chandigarh. Like every year, the IAF marked the occasion with air displays highlighting the prowess of IAF pilots and IAF aircraft. Chandigarh Air Force Station hosted the main festivities and flybys.

History

On October 8, 1932, the former British Empire created the IAF. It was established to support the Royal Air Force of the UK, particularly against Japan in World War II. To stop the Japanese army's progress into India, the IAF targeted Japanese sites in Burma. In 1945, King George VI bestowed the prefix "Royal" to recognise the IAF's accomplishments. After India became a republic in 1950, this honorific title was abolished.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) also had significant contributions to make during the Congo Crisis (1960–1966), the Goa Annexation (1961), the Second Kashmir War (1965), the Bangladesh Liberation War (1971), the Kargil War (1999), the Balakot airstrike and the India–Pakistan standoff in 2019.