Diabytes
After 75 years, sky is the limit for IAF
On 8th Oct 1932 a small fleet four Wapiti planes, six officers, and 19 sepoys, combined together to form a tiny Air Force of a British colony. Whatever might have been the motive of the colonial masters behind this precarious assemblage, the outcome, after 75 years of this event was certainly not something they might have ever imagined. The Indian Air Force, the fourth largest in the world today, is known as much for its formidable jets as for its rescue and peacekeeping operations.
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Smita Mishra
On 8th Oct 1932, a small fleet of four Wapiti planes, six officers, and 19 sepoys, combined together to form a tiny Air Force of a British colony. Whatever might have been the motive of the colonial masters behind this precarious assemblage, the outcome, after 75 years of this event was certainly not something they might have ever imagined. The Indian Air Force, the fourth largest in the world today, is known as much for its formidable jets as for its rescue and peacekeeping operations. Here is an attempt to have sweeping glance at the innumerable milestones achieved by it throughout its glowing journey.
No. 1 Squadron
The IAF`S No. 1 Squadron came into being on April 1, 1933 constituting some Wapiti bi-planes.
World War Blues:
The largest fear of the British government, the approaching Japanese Army in Burma (Myanmar), was taken care of by the Indian Air Force. Twenty-two Distinguished Flying Crosses were awarded to it and in recognition of its invaluable service in the World War II it was given the prefix `Royal` in 1945.
Major possessions of the IAF from 1932 to 1945:
Wapiti, Hart, Tiger Moth, Dragon Fly, Atlanta, Dragon Rapider, Leander, Addax, Hudson, Moth Minor, Valencia, Cornell, Defiant, Battle and Anson.
New aircraft, including the US built Vultee Vengeance and the British Hawker Hurricane and Westland Lysander, were also added to its fleet.
Royal drop!
The prefix `Royal` - a reminder of the colonial bondage - was dropped by the Indian Government from the IAF`s title after India became a Republic in 1950.
Kashmir win (1947)
IAF played an important role in Pak-instigated Kashmir rebellion in October 1947. The IAF paratroopers were successful in preventing the advance of Pakistani mercenaries. But the role actually assigned to the IAF in this war was not a major one. They in general assisted the Indian Army. Night Vision!
Fifty-four two- seat night fighters, Vampire NF Mk were obtained in 1953. Thus, for the first time night intercept capability was acquired by the IAF.
President`s Colours
President`s Colours were presented by Dr Rajendra Prasad to IAF on April 1, 1954.
HAL feat
HAL designed HT-2 trainer was introduced in 1955.
New crafts, first copter
Sikorsky, the first helicopter of IAF, was introduced in 1956.
Folland Gnat lightweight fighters were introduced which were tremendously cost effective.
Mission Congo (1960)
IAF Canberra aircraft was sent by India to Congo as part of the UN-led mission in Congo in 1960. India was one of the first UN member nations to extend a helping hand to Congo which was engulfed in anarchy after Belgium abruptly ended its 75 year old colonial rule.
China War (1962)
The reverses suffered by India in the Indo-China conflict of 1962 is mainly blamed on the subordinate role given to the Indian Air Force. The Indian leadership did not operationalise the IAF for the majority of the war because it feared that if the IAF attacked Chinese forces, the opponents would retaliate by bombing Indian cities. The IAF was merely utilized in counter-attacking the Chinese raid and supplying essentials to troops fighting near the Sino-Indian border.
Waking efforts
But the defeat was an awakening call for the IAF. The Indian government, learning from its mistakes, began a vigorous campaign to expand the IAF. An emergency flying scheme was initiated in nearly a dozen cities and more than 1,000 cadets received primary flying training by 1964. The IAF`s strength was increased to 100,000 officers by 1964. By 1965, Antonov An-12B and C-119G were inducted in the IAF fleet. Indo-Pak War(1965)
The Indo Pak war of 1965 was the actual litmus test of the IAF`s valiance. The IAF successfully bombarded several Pakistani air-fields, ammunition depots and military installations deep inside the Pakistan territory and gave crucial air cover to the Indian Army. The IAF helicopters played a vital role in logistics and rescue efforts.
IAF Academy
The Indian Air Force Academy at Dindigul, Hyderabad was inagurated in 1971.
Consolidation phase
The consolidation phase began in 1965, after the Indo-Pak war when a number of changes were introduced in the IAF. To begin with the Para Commandos regiment was created in 1966. Seventy-two Avro 748s built by Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) were added. These were the nascent fusion aircraft designed to play a variety of roles. India began to emphasise on indigenous manufacture of fighter aircraft. Within a very short span of time 147 HAL HF-24 Marut were inducted into the Air Force. HAL also started working on a new improved version of Folland Gnat, known as HAL Ajeet.
It was during the same period that the fighter jets like MiGs and Sukhois with speed as high as Mach 2 were inducted.
Indo-Pak War (1971)
In the Indo-Pak war of 1971, the newly acquired capabilities of the IAF were soon put to test. In fact, the war began with an air attack by Pak Air Force on Indian positions at Mukti Bahini near Bangladesh. Out of the four PAF Sabres which had launched the attack, three were shot down by the IAF Gnats. The Pak Air Force`s strikes on Indian bases also failed miserably. As the war progressed the IAF assumed a greater role. It not only provided air cover to the advancing Indian soldiers, but also unleashed havoc on Pakistan by destroying its tanks, armoured fight vehicles, runways, ordinance factories, and bombing places of such strategic significance as oil installations in Karachi, the Mangla Dam and gas plant in Sindh.
The role of the IAF in 1971 victory was pivotal. It is believed that IAF`s transport planes dropped leaflets over Dhaka urging the Pakistani forces to surrender and the morale of the Pak troops suffered drastically as the leaflets touched ground! Another modernisation
Another modernisation drive covered the span of 10 years - between 1978 to 1988. Around 20 new aircraft were introduced in the Air Force and several old models were done away with.
The years 1985-86 saw the introduction of Mirage 2000, a delta wing fly-by-wire fighter with high agility and a radar-missile combination to reckon with.
Operation Meghdoot (1984)
During Operation Meghdoot in 1984 the IAF came out with flying colours as war in the world`s highest battle field could not be won without any back up from the sky. Operation Meghdoot was the name given to the strike launched by Indian Military to capture most of the Siachen Glacier in Kashmir.
Operation Cactus(1988)
In 1988 when the People`s Liberation Organisation of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE) invaded Maldives and the President, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, appealed to India for help, the IAF was called to airlift parachute battalion group from Agra and flow them immediately to Maldives. The Indian paratroopers within hours restored government rule in Malé. This brief, bloodless operation, called Operation Cactus, which also involved the Indian Navy, was another laurel achieved by the Indian Air Force.
Mission Somalia (1993-94)
In 1993-94 the Indian Air Force did valuable service in peacekeeping mission in Somalia as part of the Indian contigent supporting UN mission.
Winged women In 1991, the government approved the induction of women in the non-technical Air Force Officer billets, such as administration, logistics, accounting, education and meteorology. In 1992, opportunities for "pioneer women officers" were opened in the areas of transportation, helicopters and navigation, and the first group of 13 women cadets entered the Air Force. By 1994, there were 55 women officers in the Air Force.
Kargil War (1999)
The Kargil War proved beyond doubt the IAF`s significant presence and its decisive role in drawing the battle to a successful conclusion. Besides providing air cover to the Indian troops, the IAF also carried out massive air assaults against Pak forces in Kashmir. Mirage 2000 aircraft carried out surgical operations to assist ground troops in securing the crucial Tiger Hill from Pakistan. The IAF also carried out several operations to provide necessary supplies to the ground troops.
IAF`s effective strikes against the enemy supply camps and strategic locations were a major reason of Indian success in the Kargil War.
Angles of Blue Sky
Tsunami, Gujarat earthquake, Malpa tragedy, Siachen glacier lifeline... constant monitoring and rescue operations are what legends are made of. The US Air Force chief commended the scale of Indian operations and said he pitied the person who would ever stand against the India Air Force.
On 8th of October, the Air Force turns 75. It`s an old age in the life of men, but in the life of a war force - life just begins to open up to wider horizons.
On 8th Oct 1932, a small fleet of four Wapiti planes, six officers, and 19 sepoys, combined together to form a tiny Air Force of a British colony. Whatever might have been the motive of the colonial masters behind this precarious assemblage, the outcome, after 75 years of this event was certainly not something they might have ever imagined. The Indian Air Force, the fourth largest in the world today, is known as much for its formidable jets as for its rescue and peacekeeping operations. Here is an attempt to have sweeping glance at the innumerable milestones achieved by it throughout its glowing journey.
No. 1 Squadron
The IAF`S No. 1 Squadron came into being on April 1, 1933 constituting some Wapiti bi-planes.
World War Blues:
The largest fear of the British government, the approaching Japanese Army in Burma (Myanmar), was taken care of by the Indian Air Force. Twenty-two Distinguished Flying Crosses were awarded to it and in recognition of its invaluable service in the World War II it was given the prefix `Royal` in 1945.
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Wapiti, Hart, Tiger Moth, Dragon Fly, Atlanta, Dragon Rapider, Leander, Addax, Hudson, Moth Minor, Valencia, Cornell, Defiant, Battle and Anson.
New aircraft, including the US built Vultee Vengeance and the British Hawker Hurricane and Westland Lysander, were also added to its fleet.
Royal drop!
The prefix `Royal` - a reminder of the colonial bondage - was dropped by the Indian Government from the IAF`s title after India became a Republic in 1950.
Kashmir win (1947)
IAF played an important role in Pak-instigated Kashmir rebellion in October 1947. The IAF paratroopers were successful in preventing the advance of Pakistani mercenaries. But the role actually assigned to the IAF in this war was not a major one. They in general assisted the Indian Army. Night Vision!
Fifty-four two- seat night fighters, Vampire NF Mk were obtained in 1953. Thus, for the first time night intercept capability was acquired by the IAF.
President`s Colours
President`s Colours were presented by Dr Rajendra Prasad to IAF on April 1, 1954.
HAL feat
HAL designed HT-2 trainer was introduced in 1955.
New crafts, first copter
Sikorsky, the first helicopter of IAF, was introduced in 1956.
Folland Gnat lightweight fighters were introduced which were tremendously cost effective.
Mission Congo (1960)
IAF Canberra aircraft was sent by India to Congo as part of the UN-led mission in Congo in 1960. India was one of the first UN member nations to extend a helping hand to Congo which was engulfed in anarchy after Belgium abruptly ended its 75 year old colonial rule.
China War (1962)
The reverses suffered by India in the Indo-China conflict of 1962 is mainly blamed on the subordinate role given to the Indian Air Force. The Indian leadership did not operationalise the IAF for the majority of the war because it feared that if the IAF attacked Chinese forces, the opponents would retaliate by bombing Indian cities. The IAF was merely utilized in counter-attacking the Chinese raid and supplying essentials to troops fighting near the Sino-Indian border.
Waking efforts
But the defeat was an awakening call for the IAF. The Indian government, learning from its mistakes, began a vigorous campaign to expand the IAF. An emergency flying scheme was initiated in nearly a dozen cities and more than 1,000 cadets received primary flying training by 1964. The IAF`s strength was increased to 100,000 officers by 1964. By 1965, Antonov An-12B and C-119G were inducted in the IAF fleet. Indo-Pak War(1965)
The Indo Pak war of 1965 was the actual litmus test of the IAF`s valiance. The IAF successfully bombarded several Pakistani air-fields, ammunition depots and military installations deep inside the Pakistan territory and gave crucial air cover to the Indian Army. The IAF helicopters played a vital role in logistics and rescue efforts.
IAF Academy
The Indian Air Force Academy at Dindigul, Hyderabad was inagurated in 1971.
Consolidation phase
The consolidation phase began in 1965, after the Indo-Pak war when a number of changes were introduced in the IAF. To begin with the Para Commandos regiment was created in 1966. Seventy-two Avro 748s built by Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) were added. These were the nascent fusion aircraft designed to play a variety of roles. India began to emphasise on indigenous manufacture of fighter aircraft. Within a very short span of time 147 HAL HF-24 Marut were inducted into the Air Force. HAL also started working on a new improved version of Folland Gnat, known as HAL Ajeet.
It was during the same period that the fighter jets like MiGs and Sukhois with speed as high as Mach 2 were inducted.
Indo-Pak War (1971)
In the Indo-Pak war of 1971, the newly acquired capabilities of the IAF were soon put to test. In fact, the war began with an air attack by Pak Air Force on Indian positions at Mukti Bahini near Bangladesh. Out of the four PAF Sabres which had launched the attack, three were shot down by the IAF Gnats. The Pak Air Force`s strikes on Indian bases also failed miserably. As the war progressed the IAF assumed a greater role. It not only provided air cover to the advancing Indian soldiers, but also unleashed havoc on Pakistan by destroying its tanks, armoured fight vehicles, runways, ordinance factories, and bombing places of such strategic significance as oil installations in Karachi, the Mangla Dam and gas plant in Sindh.
The role of the IAF in 1971 victory was pivotal. It is believed that IAF`s transport planes dropped leaflets over Dhaka urging the Pakistani forces to surrender and the morale of the Pak troops suffered drastically as the leaflets touched ground! Another modernisation
Another modernisation drive covered the span of 10 years - between 1978 to 1988. Around 20 new aircraft were introduced in the Air Force and several old models were done away with.
The years 1985-86 saw the introduction of Mirage 2000, a delta wing fly-by-wire fighter with high agility and a radar-missile combination to reckon with.
Operation Meghdoot (1984)
During Operation Meghdoot in 1984 the IAF came out with flying colours as war in the world`s highest battle field could not be won without any back up from the sky. Operation Meghdoot was the name given to the strike launched by Indian Military to capture most of the Siachen Glacier in Kashmir.
Operation Cactus(1988)
In 1988 when the People`s Liberation Organisation of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE) invaded Maldives and the President, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, appealed to India for help, the IAF was called to airlift parachute battalion group from Agra and flow them immediately to Maldives. The Indian paratroopers within hours restored government rule in Malé. This brief, bloodless operation, called Operation Cactus, which also involved the Indian Navy, was another laurel achieved by the Indian Air Force.
Mission Somalia (1993-94)
In 1993-94 the Indian Air Force did valuable service in peacekeeping mission in Somalia as part of the Indian contigent supporting UN mission.
Winged women In 1991, the government approved the induction of women in the non-technical Air Force Officer billets, such as administration, logistics, accounting, education and meteorology. In 1992, opportunities for "pioneer women officers" were opened in the areas of transportation, helicopters and navigation, and the first group of 13 women cadets entered the Air Force. By 1994, there were 55 women officers in the Air Force.
Kargil War (1999)
The Kargil War proved beyond doubt the IAF`s significant presence and its decisive role in drawing the battle to a successful conclusion. Besides providing air cover to the Indian troops, the IAF also carried out massive air assaults against Pak forces in Kashmir. Mirage 2000 aircraft carried out surgical operations to assist ground troops in securing the crucial Tiger Hill from Pakistan. The IAF also carried out several operations to provide necessary supplies to the ground troops.
IAF`s effective strikes against the enemy supply camps and strategic locations were a major reason of Indian success in the Kargil War.
Angles of Blue Sky
Tsunami, Gujarat earthquake, Malpa tragedy, Siachen glacier lifeline... constant monitoring and rescue operations are what legends are made of. The US Air Force chief commended the scale of Indian operations and said he pitied the person who would ever stand against the India Air Force.
On 8th of October, the Air Force turns 75. It`s an old age in the life of men, but in the life of a war force - life just begins to open up to wider horizons.
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