advertisement
Speaking on the occasion of the Indian Air Force’s foundation day, Air Chief Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria on Thursday, 8 October, commended air warriors for a "quick response along the northern frontiers during the recent standoff".
Apart from the IAF chief, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat, Army Chief General MM Naravane and Navy chief Admiral Karambir Singh also attended the 88th IAF day celebrations at the Hindon airbase in Ghaziabad on Thursday.
The key highlight of the ceremony were the newly inducted Rafale jets, with a parade-cum-investiture ceremony also held to mark the occasion.
“I want to assure the nation that the Indian Air Force will evolve and be ever ready to safeguard our nation's sovereignty and interests in all circumstances”, IAF Chief Bhadauria was quoted as saying.
“As we enter the 89th year, the IAF is undergoing a transformational change. We are entering an era which will redefine where we employ aerospace power and conduct integrated multi-domain operations,” he added.
Bhadauria, while addressing the event, lauded the force’s response amid the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing standoff with China in Ladakh.
“This year has indeed been an unprecedented one. As COVID-19 spread across the globe, our nation's response was firm. The tenacity and resolve of our air warriors ensured that IAF continued to retain its capability to undertake full-scale operations throughout this period,” he said.
We have clearly demonstrated our resolve, operational capability and will to effectively engage the adversary should the need arise, the IAF chief said, adding that the emerging security scenario mandates greater need to have a strong air force to fight across domains and the entire spectrum of warfare.
Wishes poured in from across the nation on IAF day, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauding the force’s “courage, valour and dedication.”
Tweeting earlier in the day, PM Modi said, “You not only keep the skies of the country secure but also play a leading role in the service of humanity during disasters. Your courage, valour and dedication inspires everyone.”
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also took to Twitter to wish the force.“My felicitations and best wishes to the air warriors and their families on the occasion of Air Force Day-2020. Eighty eight years of dedication, sacrifice and excellence mark the journey of the IAF which is today a lethal and formidable force to reckon with,” he tweeted.
President Ram Nath Kovind, too, took to Twitter to laud the IAF. “On Air Force Day, we proudly honour our air warriors, veterans, and families of Indian Air Force. The nation remains indebted to contribution of IAF in securing our skies and assisting civil authorities in Humanitarian Assistance & Disaster Relief,” Kovind said.
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)