New Delhi: From 1948 to the Kargil conflict, the Indian Air Force ( IAF) has always exhibited its winning capabilities. IAF's professional and prompt operations in peace time, at home and abroad and in peacekeeping, have earned many accolades. IAF was officially established on 8 October 1932. In the last 81 years it has come a long way. It has a total strength of 127,000 active personnel with estimates of around 1,370 aircraft in active service during 2012-2013. Here are ten interesting facts to know about IAF:1. Indian Air Force was established on 8 October 1932 as an auxiliary air force of the British Empire. The prefix Royal was added in 1945 in recognition of its services during World War II. After India achieved independence from the United Kingdom in 1947, the Royal Indian Air Force served the Dominion of India, with the prefix “Royal” being dropped when India became a republic in 1950. 2. Indian Air Force ranks as the fourth best operational airforce in the world. 3. Indian Airforce Currently Operates 3 Beriev A-50 Phalcon AEW&C (Airborne early warning and control) aircrafts, around 700 fighters, 7 aerial refueling tanker aircrafts, 133 transport aircrafts, 158 trainer aircrafts, 33 attack helicopters, 156 transport helicopters, 155 utility helicopters, about 200 UAVs. 4. The Indian Air Force's primary air superiority fighter is the Sukhoi Su-30MKI, which is among the most elite fighter jets in the world alongside the Eurofighter Typhoon, Dassault Rafale and USAF's best F-series of fighters. 5. In September 2009, IAF established its own special operation unit called the Garud Commando Force, consisting of approximately 1500 personnel. Garud is tasked with the protection of critical aviation installations; undertaking combat search and rescue, suppression of enemy air defence, radar busting, combat control, missile and munitions guidance (“lasing” of targets) and other missions in support of air operations. 6. Air Marshal Sir Thomas Walker Elmhirst was the first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Air Force. He was Air Chief from 15 August 1947 to 21 February 1950. Air Marshal Elmhirst was also instrumental in turning an incomplete air force into a cohesive fighting machine. 7. Air Marshal Subroto Mukherjee was the first Indian Chief of Air Staff of Indian Air Force. He was Air Chief from 1 April 1954 to 8 November 1960. 8. In the Kargil War, the IAF rapidly adapted to the air campaign's unique operational challenges, which included enemy positions at elevations of 14,000 to 18,000 feet, a stark backdrop of rocks and snow that made for uncommonly difficult visual target acquisition, and a restriction against crossing the Line of Control that forms the border with Pakistan.” 9. In Indo-Pakistan War of 1965 for the first time in its history, the Indian Air Force (IAF) had to contest command of the air against a highly trained Pakistan Air Force (PAF) equipped with aircraft and weapons systems technologically far superior to those of the IAF, courtesy the United States. Even given the tactical edge and element of surprise, PAF failed to capitalize and IAF came out victorious.10. Even after losing precious lives of 171 pilots, 39 civilians and eight persons from other services, we are using second generation Mig-21 fighter plane and sending our talented pilots to their untimely death in these ‘flying coffins' .
