Today is the day when the Indian Air Force (IAF) celebrates its
87th birth anniversary. The podium saw the Air Chief Marshal RKS
Bhadauria today addressing the IAF personnel and their families in an event at
Hindon Air Force Station in Ghaziabad.
Air Chief’s
Address
As the event commenced with Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria
taking the salute, he also honoured various Indian Air Force personnel
addressing the nation of IAF’s seamless promise and effort.
We are always prepared for all contingencies
since the IAF provided relief and rescue operations during contingencies. Improved
training methodology for pilots and technicians are in function while duty will
remain combat worthy,” said IAF Chief.
He also
mentioned that there is a need to focus on indigenous design and manufacture.
He assured of promoting Indian firms in fleet assistance while all organs of
IAF work with synergy.
“Indian Air Force is grateful for the nation's
trust and confidence in us and the support provided."On behalf of all air
warriors, I assure the nation of our sacred resolve, defending the sovereignty
of our skies and safeguarding our national interest at all cost," said Air
Force chief.
Major
Events
Quoting the oath of serving with integrity at all times, Mr.
Bhadauria applauded the agility and alertness of IAF at all times amid the
present security environment in the neighbourhood. However, this day is not
just remarkable or significant for the 87th birth anniversary, but
the nation has been gasping with excitement at Defence Minister Rajnath Singh
to take delivery of India’s brand new multi-role fighter jet Rafale in France
today.
Hon'ble
Presence
Drooling back to the Hindon event, several IAF transport
planes, helicopters and fighter jets participated in a flypast with Air Chief
Marshal RKS Bhadauria at the helm. Also, Army Chief General Bipin Rawat was in
attendance at the event while the cricket legend and honorary Group Captain
Sachin Tendulkar too marked his presence at the Air Station. He was accompanied
by his wife Anjali Tendulkar.
Wing
Commander Abhinandan
While the politicians
and popular faces took this to twitter, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman who
shot down a PAF F-16 during a dogfight on Feb 27 earlier this year, led the ‘MiG
formation’ and flew a MiG Bison aircraft at the Air Base today.
Flypast
Three Mirage 2000 aircraft and two Su-300 MKI fighter
aircraft flew in the sky in the ‘Avenger Formation.’
The planes have been flown by pilots who took part in
destroying the Balakot camps and the Air Fighter Pilots who took part in
Balakot air strikes assembled in the parade marking their tribute to the teams
that carried out the strike on February 26 and shot down the Pakistani aerial
attack on February 27.
Visuals of Chinook aircraft in the flypast were captured by the spectators
while many other aircrafts and choppers took part in the event.