Indian Air Force, Kargil War, Rank structure, Training and Education

Indian Air Force: The Indian Air Force is the air arm of the Indian armed forces. Its complement of personnel and aircraft assets ranks fourth amongst the air forces of the world. Its primary mission is to secure Indian airspace and to conduct aerial warfare throughout the armed conflict. It absolutely was officially established on eight Oct 1932 as an auxiliary air force of Brits Empire that honored India’s aviation service throughout world war II with the prefix Royal. In 1947, After India got independence from the United Kingdom, the name Royal Indian Air Force was kept and served within the name of Dominion of India. With the government’s transition to a Republic in 1950, the prefix Royal was removed after solely 3 years.

As of one July 2017, 139,576 personnel are in service with the Indian Air Force. The Chief of Air Staff, an air chief marshal, maybe a four-star officer and is responsible for the bulk of operational command of the Air Force. there’s never over one serving ACM at any given time within the IAF. On twenty-six Jan 2002 Singh became the first so far, solely five-star rank officer of the IAF.

Indian Air Force logo:

Indian Air Force Mission:

The IAF’s mission is defined by the armed forces Act of 1947, the Constitution of India:

Defense of India and each part thereof as well as preparation for defense and all such acts as is also conducive in times of war to its prosecution and once its termination to effective demobilization.

In practice, this can be taken as a directive that means the IAF bears the responsibility of safeguarding Indian airspace and therefore furthering national interests in conjunction with the other branches of the armed forces. The IAF provides close air support to the Indian Army troops on the battlefield as well as strategic and tactical airlift capabilities. The Integrated Space Cell is operated by the Indian armed forces, the civilian Department of space, and also the Indian space research Organisation. By uniting the civilian-run space exploration organizations and also the military faculty under a single Integrated space Cell the military is ready to efficiently benefit from innovation within the civilian sector of space exploration, and also the civilian departments benefit as well.

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Indian Air Force History:

Formation and Early Pilots:
The Indian Air Force was established on eight October 1932 in British India as an auxiliary air force of the Royal Air Force. On one Apr 1933, the IAF commissioned its 1st squadron, No.1 Squadron, with four Westland Wapiti biplanes and 5 Indian pilots. The Indian pilots were led by British RAF commanding officer Flight Lieutenant (later Air Vice Marshal) Cecil Bouchier.

World War II (1939–1945):
The IAF was mainly involved in the strike, close air support, aerial reconnaissance, bomber escort and pathfinding missions for RAF and USAAF heavy bombers. IAF pilots participated in air operations in Europe as a part of the RAF.

During the war, the IAF experienced a phase of steady expansion. In recognition of the valiant service by the IAF, King George VI has given the prefix “Royal” in 1945. Thereafter the IAF was referred to as the Royal Indian Air Force.

First years of Independence (1947–1950):
After it became independent from the British Empire in 1947, British India was divided into the new states of the Dominion of India and the Dominion of Pakistan. On the lines of the geographical partition, the assets of the air force were divided between the new countries. The RIAF Roundel was modified to an interim ‘Chakra’ roundel derived from the Ashoka Chakra.

Kargil War (1999):
The IAF strike was code-named Operation Safed Sagar. The first strikes were launched on twenty-six may, once the Indian Air Force struck infiltrator positions with fighter aircraft and helicopter gunships. The IAF additionally deployed its radars and therefore the MiG-29 fighters in huge numbers to keep a check on Pakistani military movements across the border. Srinagar airport was now closed to civilian air-traffic and dedicated to the Indian Air Force.

On 27 May, the Indian Air Force suffered its initial fatality when it lost a MiG-21 and a MiG-27 in fast succession. The subsequent day, whereas on an offensive sortie, a Mi-17 was shot down by 3 Stinger missiles and lost its entire crew of 4. Mirage 2000s weren’t solely better equipped to counter the MANPAD threat compared to the MiGs, however additionally gave IAF the ability to carry out aerial raids at night. Radar transmissions of Pakistani F-16s were picked up repeatedly, however, this craft stayed away. The Mirages with success targeted enemy camps and logistic bases in Kargil and severely disrupted their supply lines.

Garud Commando Force:

For a beginning, this special force volunteers from existing trades were known as and sent for commando and specialized coaching at numerous institutes of the army and alternative forces. By doing this IAF got 2 sets of personnel for its SF. The unit derives its name from garuda, a divine legendary bird of Hindu Mythology, however a lot of usually the word for Garuda in Sanskritic language. Garud is tasked with the protection of important installations; throughout hostilities, Guards undertake combat search and rescue, the rescue of downed airmen and alternative forces from behind enemy lines, suppression of enemy air defense (SEAD), radar busting, combat management, missile, and munitions guidance (“lasing” of targets) and alternative missions in support of air operations. it’s been instructed that they undertake an offensive role together with raids on enemy air bases etc. Throughout times of war.

Indian Air Force Commands:

The Indian Air Force is split into 5 operational and 2 functional commands. Each Command is headed by an Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief with the rank of Marshall. The aim of an operational command is to conduct military operations using aircraft within its area of responsibility, whereas the responsibility of functional commands is to maintain combat readiness. Technical faculties are found in a variety of different locations.

Squadrons and units:

Squadrons are the field units and formations connected to static locations. Thus, a flying squadron or unit may be a sub-unit of an air force station that carries out the first task of the IAF. A fighter squadron consists of eighteen aircraft; all fighter squadrons are headed by a commanding officer with the rank of wing commander. Some transport squadrons and helicopter units are headed by a commanding officer with the rank of captain.

Indian Air Force Stations:

Within every operational command are anywhere from nine to sixteen bases or stations, every commanded by an air commodore. A station generally has one wing and one or two squadrons appointed to that.

Indian Air Force Rank structure:

The rank structure of the Indian Air Force is based on it the Royal Air Force. The head of the Indian Air Force is the Chief of the Air Staff, who holds the rank of Air Chief Marshal.

Indian Air Force Officers:

There are four entry points to become an officer. Male candidates, who are between the ages of 16½ and 19 and have passed high school graduation, will apply at the Intermediate level. Men and Women candidates, who have graduated from college (three-year course) and are between the ages of eighteen and twenty-eight, will apply at the Graduate level entry. Graduates of engineering faculties will apply at the Engineer level if they’re between the ages of eighteen and twenty-eight years.

The age limit for the flying and ground duty branch is twenty-three years of age and for a technical branch is twenty-eight years of age. Once finishing an academic degree, men and women between the ages of eighteen and twenty-eight years will apply at the Post Graduate level. Postgraduate candidates don’t qualify for the flying branch. For the technical branch, the age limit is twenty-eight years and for the ground duty branch it’s twenty-five. At the time of application, all candidates below twenty-five years of age should be single. The IAF selects candidates for officer coaching from these candidates. Once completion of coaching, a candidate is commissioned as a Flying Officer.

Indian Air Force Airmen:

The duty of a flier within the Indian Air Force is to make positive that all the air and ground operations run smoothly. From operational Air Defence systems to fitting missiles, they’re concerned altogether activities of an airbase and provides support to numerous technical and non-technical jobs.

The airmen of Technical trades are chargeable for maintenance, repair and prepare for use the system of aircraft and alternative airborne weapon delivery system, Radar, Voice/Data transmission and reception instrumentality, etc. The competent and qualified Airmen from Technical trades additionally participate in flying as Flight Engineers, Flight Signallers, and Flight Gunners.

All India Selection Tests are conducted among fifteen Airmen selection Centres (ASCs) settled everywhere India. Those passing the written test undergo a fitness test, an interview conducted in English, and medical examination. Candidates for coaching are elect from individuals passing the battery of tests, on the premise of their performance. Upon completion of coaching, an individual becomes an airman.

Training and Education:

The Indian military has created varied military academies across India for coaching its personnel, such as the National Defence Academy (NDA). Besides the tri-service institutions, the Indian Air Force contains a training Command and a number of other coaching establishments.