Why Indian Air Force Day is celebrated on 8th October?
The IAF was founded on October 8, 1932, and the force has participated in several crucial wars and landmark missions. It was officially established as an auxiliary air force of the British Empire which honoured India’s aviation service during World War II with the prefix Royal. After India gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1947, the name Royal Indian Air Force was kept and served in the name of Dominion of India. With the government’s transition to a Republic in 1950, the prefix Royal was removed. The IAF also played important roles during the Congo Crisis (1960-1966) and the Annexation of Goa (1961), the Second Kashmir War (1965), the Bangladesh Liberation War (1971), the Kargil War (1999), and the Balakot airstrike and the India-Pakistan standoff of 2019.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- Indian Air Force Headquarters: New Delhi;
- Indian Air Force Founded: 8 October 1932, India;
- Indian Air Force Air chief Marshall: Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria.
Some Facts about India Air Force
– The Indian Air Force functions with the motto ‘Nabham Sparsham Deeptham” which is “Touch the Sky with Glory”.
– The Indian Air Force employs over 1,400 aircraft and around 170,000 personnel.
– The Indian Government, in January 2002, granted the rank of Marshal of the Air Force to Arjan Singh, thus making him the first and the only Five-star officer with the Indian Air Force and ceremonial chief of the air force.
– Indian Air Force is categorised into five operational and two functional commands.
– In 2010, the Air Force Network (AFNET), a robust digital information grid that enabled quick and meticulous threat responses, was launched.
– The Indian Air Force has been engaged in four wars with Pakistan and one with the People’s Republic of China after its independence.
– The operations carried out by it are Operation Meghdoot, Operation Vijay – the invasion of Goa, Operation Cactus, and Operation Poomalai.
– It has also been involved in the United Nations peacekeeping missions.
– The Supreme Command of the Indian Armed Forces vests in the President. The responsibility for national defence rests with the Cabinet.
