IAF's Presidential Review on March 7

New Delhi, Feb 27 (UNI) In a historic occasion, the Indian Air Force shall be reviewed by President APJ Abdul Kalam on March 7 next -- marking only the fourth time the defenders of the country's skies shall have this honour in 60 years of Indian independence.

The upcoming Presidential Review -- at Air Force Station Chandigarh -- becomes more poignant as the event takes place when the Air Warriors are celebrating the Platinum Jubilee of the raising of the IAF.

Presidential Reviews are historic occasions when the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces -- the President of India -- ceremoniously marks his appreciation of the particular Service. It is also an event of special significance where the Service gets an opportunity to honour the Supreme Commander and demonstrate its stature and strength.

So far, three Presidential Reviews of the IAF have taken place -- the last being held in 1976. The first Presidential Review of the IAF was held at Palam on April 1, 1954. The first President of India Dr Rajendra Prasad reviewed the parade and also presented Colours to the Air Force.

This event coincided with the assumption of charge by the first Indian Air Chief, Air Marshal Subroto Mukherjee who took over as Chief of the Air Staff and Commander-in-Chief of the IAF.

The second Review of the IAF took place after 18 years -- on April 1, 1972 -- when the then President VV Giri reviewed the IAF ceremonial parade at Air Force Station Palam.

The Indian Air Force Colours, presented by the first President Dr Rajendra Prasad 18 years ago, were paraded on this occasion.

The Third Presidential Review of the IAF was held on January 19, 1976 at Chandigarh with the then President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed taking the salute and reviewing the parade.

In the upcoming Presidential Review, the static and air display of IAF's entire fleet would be taking place, including an impressive parade by the Air Warriors.

The other unique feature of the Review would be that all the 41 Presidential Colours/Standards so far awarded to the IAF by the various Presidents of India would be displayed.

According to the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the IAF's Western Air Command Air Marshal AK Singh, the aircraft and systems on Static Display on the occasion will comprise the MiG-21, MiG-23, MiG-29, Jaguar, Dornier, Avro, AN-32, IL-76, Embraer, Chetak, Cheetah, Mi-8, Mi-17, ALH, Mi-25, Mi-26, Microlite, UAV, Canberra, Mirage-2000, Su-30, Kiran(SKAT), HPT-32, and Heron UAV besides radar and missile systems.

The Flying displays would comprise flypasts by Mi-17, Mi-26, ALH, Chetak, Cheetah, M-35, HPT-32, Mixed formation of Avro, AN-32 and Dorniers, Bisons, Mig-29, Mirage-2000, and Jaguar.

The IL-78 refuellers would be flying past with two Mirages plugged in. Once overhead, the Mirages would unplung and carry out a steep climb.

The unique feature of the flypast would be the Jaguar formation in which 17 aircraft would fly in close proximity making a figure of '75' signifying 75 years of the IAF's existence.

Besides, the IAF's Su-30 aircraft would perform the 'Trishul' manoeuvre.

This apart, there will be other displays like Combat Air Patrolling (CAP) by Mi-35, and special heliborne operations by Mi-17 along with action by IAF's Special Force 'Garud' commandos.

The 'Sarang' and 'Suryakiran' aerobatic teams would also entertain the viewers towards the end of the review.

UNI