A grand parade marked the celebrations of 86th Air Force Day on Monday. Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa reviewed the parade that was attended by, among others, honorary Group Captain Sachin Tendulkar.
New Delhi: A grand parade marked the celebrations of 86th Air Force Day on Monday. In a breathtaking display of might, the fighter jets of the Indian Air Force (IAF) flew past the parade that took place at Hindon Air Force Station. The parade was attended by Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa and serving and retired officers of the Indian Air Force besides other dignitaries- most notably former cricketer and honourary Group Captain Sachin Tendulkar.
President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP chief Amit Shah, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Congress president Rahul Gandhi wished the IAF on the occasion.
“A grateful nation salutes our valorous air warriors and their families on Air Force Day. They keep our skies safe and are at the forefront of serving humanity in times of disasters. Proud of the Indian Air Force,” said PM Modi.
“Wishing @IAF_MCC, Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal BS Dhanoa, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, VM, ADC and all officers and air warriors on this day. You are inheritors of a great history and you do us proud,” Sitharaman said in a tweet.
“On Air Force Day I salute the brave men and women of the Indian Airforce. Their valour and commitment is an inspiration for all Indians. Jai Hind (sic),” Gandhi tweeted.
Earlier, the fighter jets of the IAF- Sukhoi-30 MKI, Mig-29, Mig-21, Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas participated in the parade even as Surya Kiran and aerobatic display team of Sarang helicopters performed breathtaking maneuvres in the skies. India’s home-developed LCA Tejas also performed aerobatic maneuvres during the parade, reviewed by Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa.