The Indian Air Force is celebrating its 91st anniversary today and has organised the Air Force Parade at the Air Force Station Bamrauli at Prayagraj. The parade will be followed by an air display in the afternoon on the Triveni Sangam banks in Prayagraj.
This is the first Air Force Day Parade which has been commanded by a female officer. Group Captain Shaliza Dhami led the parade. She is also the first female officer of the IAF to command a combat unit.
An all-women contingent, having newly inducted Agniveer Vayu women, marched in the parade for the first time along with their male counterparts. The parade also included a flight of Garud Commandos of the IAF for the first time. The Garud Commandos recently completed 20 years of service.
The parade was reviewed by Air Chief Marshall V R Chaudhari PVSM AVSM VM ADC, Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), and was attended by General Anil Chauhan Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), former Chiefs of the Air Staff, senior service officers and civilian dignitaries.
The CAS unveiled a new ensign for the Indian Air Force on the sidelines of the parade. The new ensign has been created to embody the principles of the Indian Air Force more accurately. The inclusion of the Air Force Crest in the top right corner of the Ensign, towards the fly side., will now reflect this reaffirmation.
Additionally, the CAS presented the coveted Unit Citations to four IAF Units – specifically, 16 Squadron, 142 Helicopter Unit, 901 Signal Unit, and 3 Base Repair Depot, in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the service.
Air display at Triveni Sangam banks
The parade will be followed by air display on the banks of the Triveni Sangam. The the CDS, the CAS and other distinguished guests will witness the air diaplay. It will feature about 108 aircraft of the IAF, along with ALH Dhruv helicopters of the Indian Army and a P-8l aircraft of the India Navy. It will also include the lAF’s celebrated display teams, the Surya Kiran and the Sarang.
Besides this, the newly inducted C-295 transport aircraft will also mark their first appearance in any display held in India. However, the MiG-21 Bison is likely to make its last appearance in an air display today, before its planned phasing out by 2025.