Pathway for the future to be the best Force by 2047, IAF Chief V R Chaudhury
- The Air Chief address laid a vision for the IAF and its transformational role
- New IAF Ensign unveiled at the IAF Day parade, commanded by woman officer Gp. Capt Dhami
Prayagraj. Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhury on October 8 emphasised the IAF to envision itself as the best force by 2047, and in tune with the country’s quest of the to become a developed nation by then.
“In my first address to the IAF, two years ago, I spoke of what my expectations were from all air warriors so that the IAF remained relevant and contemporary. In my address to you in 2022, I spoke of the requirement for transformation and how hybrid warfare and multi-domain operations highlight the need to redefine, reimagine and recalibrate ourselves. This year, I would like to focus on my vision for IAF, where we are and what we need to do, to make that vision a reality”, the Air Chief said in his address at Prayagraj on the occasion of 91st Air Force Day here.
Emphasising to further the theme of this year “Air Power Beyond Boundaries”, the Air Chief said it reflects the inherent global reach of air power and it will prove decisive in future conflicts. Elaborating, he said, Air Force operations extend worldwide, providing rapid mobility and global reach. This reach allows a nation to project air power beyond boundaries in the form of rapid deployment, HADR and peacekeeping missions.
“We need to understand the nuances of evolving air power, setting the pace to preserve peace and if and when necessary, to fight and win wars’’ the Air Chief stated and underscored the vision for the pathway ahead as the IAF constantly evolved during the past nine decades
The vision, as laid down in the IAF doctrine, was to be an agile and adaptable air force that provides decisive aerospace power in furtherance of national interests. In order to make the vision a reality, everyone must play respective parts diligently. “We must reform, or become a relic; we must innovate, else become mundane and we must transform, else become irrelevant.”
This year also marked another first. The IAF Day parade was commanded by woman officer Group Captain Shaliza Dhami. Besides being the first woman officer of the IAF to command a combat unit, it was also the first time when an all women contingent of newly-inducted Agniveer Vayu women took part as did a flight by Garud Commandos, who recently completed two decades in the IAF.
The IAF also presented Unit Citations to four units, the 16 Squadron, 142 Helicopter unit, 901 Signal unit and 3 Base Repair Depot, for exemplary contribution to the service.
New IAF Ensign
On the occasion, the Air Chief unveiled a new Ensign by including the Air Force Crest in the top right corner of the Ensign towards the fly side. Explaining the new Ensign, a statement said the Crest has the national symbol, the Ashoka Lion on the top with words “Satyameva Jayate” in Devnagari below it and right below the Ashoka Lion is the Himalayan Eagle with its wings spread, denoting the fighting qualities of the IAF. A right ring in light blue encircles the Eagle with the words ‘Bharatiya Vayu Sena’ and the motto of IAF inscribed below the Eagle.
Post-Independence, the IAF Ensign was created by replacing the Union Jack with Indian Tricolour and Royal Indian Air Force roundels replaced by Indian Tricolour roundel. A new lAF ensign has now been created to better reflect the values of the Force, the IAF said in a statement.
