Air Chief lauds Operation Sindoor and indigenous prowess; Heritage Flight and innovation displays highlight the Force’s evolving legacy
Ghaziabad: The Indian Air Force (IAF) on Wednesday commemorated its 93rd anniversary with a ceremonial parade at the Air Force Station Hindan, celebrating nearly a century of courage, innovation, and service. The event, themed “Indian Air Force: Infallible, Impervious and Precise,” was attended by Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan the Chiefs of Army and Naval Staff, former Air Chiefs, and senior IAF officers. The parade was reviewed by Air Chief Marshal A. P. Singh, Chief of the Air StaffAir Force PIB.
Pride in the Skies
The ceremony opened with the march-in of the President’s Colours, symbolising unity and valour. Three Mi-17 1V helicopters in Dhwaj formation carried the National Flag, IAF Flag and the Operation Sindoor flag in an aerial salute. The parade, commanded by Group Captain Chetan Pradeep Deshpande, featured a meticulously synchronised march-past accompanied by patriotic renditions from the Air Force Band.
The Air Warrior Drill Team drew applause for its precision movements, reflecting the discipline and spirit of the Force. On the occasion, 97 medals across service categories and six Unit Citations were conferred, recognising exceptional performance and gallantry.
‘Train Like We Fight’: Air Chief’s Message
Addressing the personnel, Air Chief Marshal Singh traced the Air Force’s journey “from a modest beginning to the world’s fourth-largest Air Force.” He cited the Force’s decisive role in Operation Sindoor as proof of its offensive strength and reaffirmed faith in indigenously integrated weapon systems.
“Our training and planning now follow one guiding principle — Train like we fight,” the Air Chief said, underscoring adaptability, technological confidence, and operational readiness as pillars of IAF’s modernisation drive.
Innovation and Heritage Take Flight
An Innovation Arena at the venue showcased pioneering ideas and solutions conceived by Air Warriors across units, highlighting the Force’s growing culture of self-reliance. An adjoining exhibition chronicled the IAF’s year of challenges and triumphs a narrative of courage and transformation.
The highlight of the celebrations was the Heritage Flight aerial display, featuring vintage aircraft including the Tiger Moth, HT-2 and the Harvard, paying homage to the IAF’s glorious past. The Chief announced that the traditional Air Force Day fly-past will be held in Guwahati on November 9, extending the celebration beyond the National Capital Region.
Showcase of Strength
A static display at Hindon offered a panoramic view of India’s air power — from the strategic C-17 Globemaster and C-130 J Super Hercules to Rafale, Su-30 MKI, Apache, MiG-29, MiG-21 Bison and the ALH Mk-III helicopter. Advanced systems such as the Akash Missile, Rohini radar and Airborne Early Warning and Control platforms underscored the IAF’s operational depth and deterrence capability.
A Legacy Renewed
As the national colours fluttered above Hindon, the 93rd anniversary reaffirmed the Air Force’s dual commitment to operational excellence and to the spirit of service. The ceremony embodied the ethos of an institution that has remained “infallible, impervious and precise” for over nine decades.
From the biplanes of the past to the stealth systems of tomorrow, the Indian Air Force stands as the guardian of India’s skies and the custodian of its aspirations,” the Air Chief declared, encapsulating the sentiment of the day.
