IAF Celebrates its 91st Raising Day Over the Waters of Sangam
A FORCE Report
The Indian Air Force (IAF) celebrated its 91st Raising Day on 8 October 2023, with a grand air show and parade at the Sangam area in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. The event was a spectacular display of the IAF’s prowess and capabilities, and it drew a large crowd of spectators.
In a show of unity and cooperation, the bands of the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force performed together at the Air Force Day parade. The air display later featured ALH Dhruv helicopters of the Indian Army and a P-81 aircraft of the Indian Navy flying alongside Indian Air Force aircraft in the 108 aircraft air display.
The flypast was the event’s highlight, with over 120 aircraft participating, including fighter jets, transport aircraft, and helicopters. The flypast began with the vintage Dakota aircraft, followed by the Tejas light combat aircraft, the Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets, and the Rafale fighter jets. The flypast also featured helicopters such as the Mi-17 V5, the Apache AH-64E, and the Chinook CH-47F.
The aircraft flew in a variety of formations, including the diamond formation, the vic formation, the arrow formation, the arrowhead formation, and the en echelon formation. The formations were precise and well-coordinated, and they demonstrated the IAF’s high level of training and discipline.
The IAF’s aerobatic teams, the Suryakiran and the Sarang, performed thrilling aerobatic displays. The Suryakiran team performed several formations, including the Arrow, the Pyramid, and the Vertical Roll. The Sarang team performed several helicopter aerobatics, such as the Rope Ladder and the Basket Toss.
The air show featured a mock dogfight between two Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets. The dogfight was a demonstration of the IAF’s air combat capabilities. The parade also featured a contingent of 31 newly inducted women Agniveers (Vayu). Women officers also led some of the marching contingents in the parade. Of the 361 air warriors who participated in the parade, 47 were officers and 40 were women.
To mark its 91st anniversary, CAS ACM Vivek Ram Chaudhari unveiled a new Ensign for the IAF. The new crest of the IAF includes a crest in the top right corner of the ensign, towards the fly side.
In addition to the women Agniveers and women contingent leaders, the Air Force Day parade also featured soldiers and officers of the IAF’s special forces unit, ‘Garud Commandos.’ The Air Warrior Drill Team also demonstrated their rifle handling skills, and a team of air warriors showcased their speed working skills by dismantling and reassembling a four-wheeler.
The main celebrations for Indian Air Force Day were held in Prayagraj, in keeping with the new tradition of hosting the event in different parts of the country, following last year’s celebration in Chandigarh.