On the 87th Air Force Day, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman who shot down a Pakistani F-16 in a dogfight after the Balakot airstrikes today flew a MiG Bison aircraft over the Air Force Day parade at the Hindol Air Base. Abhinandan led the flypast formation along with Mirage 2000s flown by IAF pilots who flew the Balakot strike missions.
#WATCH Ghaziabad: Wing Commander #AbhinandanVarthaman leads a ‘MiG formation’ and flies a MiG Bison Aircraft at Hindon Air Base on #AirForceDay today. pic.twitter.com/bRpgW7MUxu
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) October 8, 2019
Besides, As a mark of tribute to the Indian Air Force team who participated in the audacious attack on the Jaish-e-Muhammad terror camp in Balakot on February 26 to avenge Pulwama attack were also seen flying aircraft on the 87th Air Force Day. 3 Mirage 2000 fighter jets and 2 Su-30 MKI fighter aircraft flew in ‘Avenger Formation’ over the Hindon airbase.
#WATCH Ghaziabad: Indian Air Force officers who participated in Balakot airstrike, fly 3 Mirage 2000 aircraft & 2 Su-30MKI fighter aircraft in ‘Avenger formation’, at Hindon Air Base during the event on #AirForceDay today. pic.twitter.com/qV417aLNjr
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) October 8, 2019
In addition to this, Apache and Chinook aircraft also made a debut in the event. 3 Chinook transport helicopters flew in a ‘Chinook Formation’ over the Hindon airbase during the event.
#WATCH Ghaziabad: Three Chinook transport helicopters fly in ‘Chinook formation’ at Hindon Air Base during the event on #AirForceDay today. pic.twitter.com/06rSyjvWv7
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) October 8, 2019
The Indian Air Force celebrated the 87th Air Force Day at the Hindon airbase in Ghaziabad. Army Chief Bipin Rawat and IAF Chief Air Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria were present on the occasion.
Speaking on the behalf of Indian Air Force, the Air Force Chief expressed his gratitude to the nation for reposing trust and confidence in the Indian Air Force. He assured the nation of their scared resolve of defending the sovereignty of India’s skies and safeguarding national interest at all cost.
Air Force Chief also hailed the government’s determination to fight terrorism. Air Chief Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria said, “Strategic relevance of Balakot airstrike is the resolve of political leadership to punish perpetrators of terrorism. There is a major shift in the government’s way of handling terrorist attacks.”
