A woman officer will lead the Indian Air Force (IAF) parade today at Bamrauli Air Force Station in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, marking a watershed moment for the Indian defense services.
For the first time, Group Captain Shaliza Dhami will lead the Air Force Day parade to commemorate the 91st anniversary of the military. Dhami became the first woman officer to take command of an IAF combat unit in March.
The group captain is now in command of India's western sector missile squadron. Shaliza Dhami, who was commissioned in 2003, has over 2800 hours of flight time and is also a trained flying teacher.
2 days to go for the mega #AirForceDay celebrations at #Prayagraj.
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) October 6, 2023
With the successful conduct of the Parade Full Dress Rehearsal today, #IAF gears up for the main event on 08 Oct 23.
Watch it LIVE here on 08 Oct 23 from 0815 am onwards.#91stAnniversary pic.twitter.com/XlRCAp22F6
Wing Commander Ashish Moghe, IAF spokesperson, stated that the Force will have an all-women contingent parade alongside freshly recruited Agniveer Vayu.
Women are now commissioned as fighter pilots and warship crew members in the Air Force, and they are eligible for permanent commissions as well as training at the National Defense Academy.
Furthermore, both the IAF and the Navy have approved female involvement in the Garud commando force and the Marine Commandos, respectively.
For the first time, a flight of Garud commandos will be included in this year's Air Force Day celebration. This time, roughly 110 aircraft will pass past, including MiG-21 fighter jets and C-295 transport planes.
During the parade, the Indian Air Force will fly Rafales, Sukhoi-30s, Mirage-2000s, MiG-29s, Jaguars, LCA Tejas, C-17s, C-130Js, IL-76s, AN-32s, Chinooks, Apaches, and Hawks.
Air leader Marshal VR Chaudhari, the leader of the Indian Air Force, is also set to present a new ensign at Prayagraj. The new ensign will feature a crest in the top right corner, which previously replaced the national flag in the upper left canton. The crest has an Ashoka lion with a Himalayan eagle spread beneath it.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi disclosed the change in the ensign during the commissioning ceremony of the aircraft carrier Vikrant.
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