76 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE IAF'S GREAT PAST BUT CHALLENGING FUTURE

Charged with the significant task of safeguarding India's airspace, IAF has consistently served the nation with distinction since its inception. As the threat landscape and modern technologies continue to advance, the force remains committed to evolve and modernise itself

- AIR MARSHAL ANIL CHOPRA (RETD)

THE INDIAN AIR FORCE (IAF) WAS ESTABLISHED ON OCTOBER 8, 1932. It got its first four Westland Wapiti IIA biplane aircraft on April 1, 1933 when No.1 Squadron was formed with six RAF-trained officers and 19 Havai Sepoys (air soldiers) at Drigh Road, Karachi. As India celebrates 76 years of independence, the IAF has come a long way, and today is the fourth largest air force with global reach, long-range precision strike capability, and ability to exercise dominance over the region between the West Asia and ASEAN countries. It has built major capabilities and experience in handling humanitarian aid and disaster relief (HADR) operations at global scale and is a first responder in the region. IAF is, what it is today, due grit and determination of its air warriors, and years of wartime exposure, and training, including with most of the major air forces of the world.

EARLY AIR EXPOSURE

IAF saw early army-support action in North West Frontier Province in mid 1930s. As the World War II expanded to southeast Asia, additional squadrons were formed, starting 1941. IAF saw operational action in the "Burma Champaign" from 1942 onwards. IAF pilots also took part in the air campaign in Europe, having being attached to the Royal Air Force (RAF) squadrons. The Americans built a large number of airfields in the India's east to fly logistic support missions to China against the Japanese. The operation called "The Hump" involved flying dangerous missions across the Himalayan Jungles. Many of these airfields were later inherited and upgraded by the IAF.

1947-48 AIR OPERATIONS IN JAMMU AND KASHMIR