Indian Air Force Day

• 08 Oct 2022

Why in News?

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is celebrating 90^th Air Force Day on 8th October.

What are the Key Highlights of the celebrations?

• The primary event of the day is being observed at Chandigarh Air Force Station and consists of a parade and flyover.
• LCH "Prachanda, Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, Sukhoi, Mig-29, Jaguar, Rafale, IL-76, C-130J, and Hawk have taken part in the fly-past.
• Among helicopters, Advanced Light Helicopter Dhruv, Chinook, Apache and Mi-17 will be part of the aerial display.

What is the Indian Air Force?

• Background:
  • The Indian Air Force was established in 1932 during World War II to support the Royal Air Force of the United Kingdom in its war against Japan.
    • To stop the Japanese army's progress into India, the IAF was utilised to target Japanese bases in Burma.
  • In 1945, King George VI bestowed the prefix "Royal" in recognition of the IAF's accomplishments. After India became a republic in 1950, this honorary title was abolished.
  • After the independence of the nation, it evolved into the Indian Air Force in 1950.
• About:
  • President of India is the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces,
  • The fourth-largest air force in the world is the Indian Air Force.
  • Headquarters: New Delhi
  • Motto of India Air Force: Touch the sky with Glory.
    • It was taken from the eleventh chapter of the Bhagavad Gita.
  • The Chief of Air Staff, an air chief marshal is responsible for the operational command of the air force.

What are the most Significant Operations of the IAF?

• After independence, IAF took part in wars with Pakistan and the People's Republic of China.
  • Operation Meghdoot: To regain control of the heights commanding the Siachen glacier, the Indian Army, Indian Air Force, and paramilitary troops launched "Operation Meghdoot" on April 13, 1984.
• IAF took part in relief operations during natural calamities such as Gujarat cyclone in 1998, the tsunami in 2004, etc.
• Other significant operations of the IAF:
  • Operation Vijay (1961)
  • The Second Kashmir War (1965)
  • The Bangladesh Liberation War (1971)
  • Operation Poomalai (1987)
  • Operation Cactus (1988)
  • The Kargil War (1999)
  • The Balakot airstrike
  • The India-Pakistan standoff of 2019

Source: The Hindu