Indian Air Force Day is observed on October 8. This year, marks the 90th-anniversary celebration…

Indian Air Force Day is observed on October 8. This year, marks the 90th-anniversary celebration of the Indian Air Force (IAF). The day and its observance is a matter of pride for Indians and inspire a patriotic zeal among the citizenry for the air arm of the Indian Armed Forces. They defend the nation by securing the Indian airspace, not only in times of cross-border conflict but also conduct rescue operations during natural calamities. The President of India is the Commander-in-chief of the IAF.

The IAF, was established on October 8, 1932, by the erstwhile British Empire. It was formed to provide support to the United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force, especially during World War II against Japan. The IAF was used to attack Japanese bases in Burma to stall the Japanese army’s advance to India. King George VI honoured the contributions of the IAF in 1945 with the prefix “Royal." This honorary title was dropped in 1950 after India became a republic.

The IAF also played important roles during the Congo Crisis (1960-1966) and the Annexation of Goa (1961), the Second Kashmir War (1965), the Bangladesh Liberation War (1971), the Kargil War (1999), and the Balakot airstrike and the India-Pakistan standoff of 2019.

The Indian Air Force Day celebration is a display of strength, bravery and courage of India’s fighter pilots who risk their lives to defend the nation. It is also a display of India’s military might to the w...