Indian Air Force is 90, Celebrates its Magnificent Warriors and Flying Machines

ChAnDIgArh/ neW DelhI. Those who shared the delight of the 1960s movie Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines in our younger days cannot but be proud of where the Indian Air Force flies so high in the dreams of every Indian.

- Gulshan luthra

ChAnDIgArh/ neW DelhI. Those who shared the delight of the 1960s movie Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines in our younger days cannot but be proud of where the Indian Air Force flies so high in the dreams of every Indian. I think like a teenager every time I feel the inspiring sights and thunderous sounds of an IAF aircraft.

I have many friends in the IAF, from my college days and later from my years as a writer on defence and foreign affairs. I couldn’t be one of them but I am so proud that they are, or were, part of our great Indian Air Force which is now a mighty 90-year young and celebrates its magnificence, determination, and might with all the Indians.

The annual IAF Day Flypast, this time held in the beautiful city of Chandigarh built to the designs of famous French architect Le Corbusier in the north-western foothills of the Himalaya, was as inspiring. Doesn’t matter it was moved for the first time outside the New Delhi National Capital Region (NCR). Fighter jets, Helicopters, and brave Officers and Airmen put up a spectacular display of flights and para jumps over the lake to salute the Supreme Commander of the Indian armed forces, President Droupadi Murmu, on Saturday October 

IAF Chief of Staff, Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, inspected the ceremonial Guard of Honour, and seven former Chiefs of Staff were invited to witness the grand occasion. They included Air Chief Marshal NC Suri, Air Chief Marshal AY Tipnis, Air Chief Marshal S Krishnaswami, Air Chief Marshal SP Tyagi, Air Chief Marshal FH Major, Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne, and Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria.