October 8, 2019 marks the 87th anniversary of the Indian Air Force (IAF). On this same date in 1932, the IAF was 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 British in 1947 and became a republic in 1950, the Royal was removed from the name and the Indian Air Force was born. Since then the IAF has participated in four wars with Pakistan and China and some of the major operations taken up by the IAF are Operation Vijay, Operation Meghdoot, Operation Cactus and Operation Poomalai.
The celebrations for the 87th anniversary was held at the Hindon Air Force Station in Ghaziabad on Tuesday and saw Sachin Tendulkar, who was conferred an honorary Group Captain rank in the Indian Air Force in September 2010, was in attendance. The festivities were overseen by Air Chief Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria, who took charge last month.
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Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman flew the MiG Bison aircraft at the Air Force Day parade at the Hindon Air Base.
Sachin was accompanied by wife Anjali. "Indian Air Force is grateful for the nation's trust and confidence in us & 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 the Indian Air Force Chief Bhadauria at the parade.
Here are some videos from the event:
