The Indian Air Force (IAF) celebrated its 81st anniversary on October 8, 2013, at the Air Force Station, Hindon. At this ceremony, the IAF showcased its full range of capabilities through aerial and ground display of practically all platforms in its inventory.

A scintillating display by the flag-bearing skydiving team Akash Ganga marked the commencement of the Air Force Day celebrations. Members of the skydiving team exited from a high-flying An-32 aircraft and carried out a precision landing in front of the audience.

The commencement of the Air Force Day Parade was marked by fly-past by a formation of three Mi-17V5 helicopters in ‘Vic’ formation trooping the Air Force ensign. Three Mi-25/35 in Vic formation followed. Then came the transport fleet of the IAF led by three of the recently acquired C-130J Super Hercules with two An-32 aircraft in echelon position, i.e. on either side, followed by ‘Spectrum’ formation comprising one An-32 aircraft in the lead with two Avro and two Dornier aircraft flying past in echelon position.

Fly-past by the combat fleet of the IAF was led by three Jaguar aircraft in Vic formation closely followed by MiG-21 Bison the MiG-29 air-defence fighters, the Mirage 2000 multirole aircraft and the Su-30MKI air dominance fighters all in Vic formation. The C-17 Globemaster III for engine strategic airlift aircraft and the vintage aircraft Tiger Moth also participated representing two ends of the hardware spectrum that the IAF has successfully operated so far. The Sarang helicopter display team marked the grand finale to the ceremony.

The IAF had practically all the aircraft of the fleet on static display as well. There was also an impressive display by the Air Warriors Drill Team.

Addressing the Air Warriors, the chief guest, Air Chief Marshal N.A.K. Browne, Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), said, “The assets provided to the Air Force were expensive and scarce and as such the safety and security of these is our prime responsibility. While ensuring their physical security, there is also an increasing need to ensure security of our communication and information networks.”

During an interaction with the media, when asked about the role of Mi-17V5 helicopters in anti-Naxal operations, the CAS said that the helicopters would help the security forces carry out day and night operations. “The Mi-17V5 gives us a lot of additional capabilities. Nobody should get a feeling that if it is dark and night, nobody can reach them,” he said. To a question on precautions being taken by the force to avoid being hit by ground fire, the CAS said, “What we do is we revise our standard operating procedures. We have done a lot of changes in terms of our defence and our communication equipment. We are doing more training so that we do not follow a set pattern. This is showing good results.”

On the question of threat posed by Pakistan-based terrorists to IAF bases, the CAS said the Air Force has taken all “necessary” steps to protect its assets and stations. “It is a very valid concern. These kind of things have happened in our neighbourhood and in last two years, there have been three such incidents there. We are very conscious of this problem and all necessary steps have been taken to protect our assets.”