Touching the skies with glory

Indian Air Force celebrated 82nd anniversary at Secunderabad

As part of the 82nd anniversary of the Indian Air Force (IAF), a get-together of veterans (retired) and serving officers was organised on Saturday by the College of Air Warfare, Secunderabad.

Air Marshal Janak Kapur, said, “The IAF was established on Oct 8, 1932. In its glorious 82 years, it stands as one of the most professional forces to reckon with. The journey of becoming the fourth largest Air Force in the world has had its share of trials and tribulations. Its legacy has been proven by the yeoman service provided during different armed conflicts the country has fought since independence. Whether it was providing the ‘just-in-time’ airlift to the Indian Army, using the vintage Dakotas in Jammu & Kashmir in 1947, the famous air battle in Longewala wherein the enemy tanks were halted in their tracks by the Hunter aircraft or the famous air drop using transport aircraft and helicopters in the Tangail Sector for the liberation of Dhaka and the recent precision bombing by Mirage-2000 at imposing heights in Kargil mountains, the IAF has always touched the skies with glory.”

Air Vice Marshal DP Upot, VSM, Commandant of Air Warfare College, said, “The hallmark of this professionalism has also been the invaluable aid rendered during peace time by providing relief during every natural calamity faced by the country. The IAF helicopters have become a life-source for the nation be it for undertaking flood relief operations or assisting the paramilitary forces and police in anti-terrorist operations. The transport fleet has carved a niche for themselves by undertaking invaluable air support services on numerous occasions including providing relief to the neighbouring states. The latest in the series of relief measures is the outstanding effort put in by personnel of Indian Air Force carrying out day and night operations to offload and disperse relief material and rescue and evacuate personnel affected by natural calamities in Jammu and Kashmir.”

“The bedrock of any professional military force is always based on sound and continuous training. Premier institutions of the IAF like College of Air Warfare provides training to officers of all the three defence services and friendly foreign countries, so as to hone the knowledge and acumen during peace time,” he added.

The College of Air Warfare commonly called as ‘CAW’ commemorated the 82nd anniversary by hosting a ‘High Tea’ for the retired personnel of IAF. The occasion offered a forum for all the retired and serving air warriors to amalgamate the glorious past with the present.