IAF celebrates its 86th anniversary today - Watch grand parade cum investiture ceremony live

NEW DELHI: The Indian Air Force (IAF) is celebrating its 86th anniversary on Monday. 

To mark the occasion, the IAF has organised a grand parade-cum-Investiture Ceremony at Ghaziabad's Hindon Air Force Station.

Indian Air Force @IAF_MCC celebrates its 86th Anniversary today. To mark the occasion, a grand Parade cum Investiture Ceremony to be held at Air Force Station Hindan, Ghaziabad.#AFDay2018 pic.twitter.com/0ZiRy295hn — All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) October 7, 2018

According to ANI, the 86th IAF anniversary celebrations have begun. 

Indian Air Force Day celebrations underway at Hindon Air Force Station in Ghaziabad pic.twitter.com/eQnMgcOrca

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) October 8, 2018

Here's is how you can watch the IAF grand parade and investiture ceremony live.

 

Praising the contribution of the IAF in defending the country, President Ram Nath Kovind said, ''On Air Force Day, we proudly honour our air warriors, veterans, and families of the Indian Air Force. They safeguard our skies with courage and commitment. The resilience, tenacity and zeal of our valiant air warriors is a source of pride for every Indian.''

On Air Force Day, we proudly honour our air warriors, veterans, and families of the Indian Air Force. They safeguard our skies with courage and commitment. The resilience, tenacity and zeal of our valiant air warriors is a source of pride for every Indian #PresidentKovind — President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) October 8, 2018

Congress president Rahul Gandhi also saluted the Indian Air Force on its 86th anniversary celebrations. ''I salute the brave men and women of the Indian Airforce. Their valour and commitment is an inspiration for all Indians. Jai Hind,'' Rahul tweeted.

On #AirForceDay I salute the brave men and women of the Indian Airforce. Their valour and commitment is an inspiration for all Indians. Jai Hind. — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) October 8, 2018

Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa, Chief of the Air Staff, is present apart from various other dignitaries and veterans. 

The parade began with the Air Warrior Drill Team showcasing their weapon handling skills.

The IAF team then carried out diverse manoeuvers with their rifles.  

Following this, there will be a scintillating air show by various aircraft.

The flypast would include the vintage aircraft, modern transport aircraft and frontline fighter aircraft. 

The air show began at 8 am with flag bearing skydivers of the famous AKASH GANGA Team dropping out of AN-32 aircraft.

Flypast will comprise Mi-17 V5 and Rudra helicopters, Dornier, C-130J and C-17 transport aircraft, Jaguar, Bison, MiG-29, Mirage-2000 and SU-30 MKI fighter aircraft. Other aircraft in the flypast will be Dakota, Tiger Moth and Harvard of the IAF Vintage flight.

After the flypast, Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) will carry out an aerobatic display in front of the audience.  

The Ambassadors of Indian Air Force, Surya Kiran Aerobatics Team (SKAT), comprising on nine Hawk 132 aircraft and the Helicopter aerobatics team, Sarang will put up a breathtaking aerobatics formation display.  

After the parade, all visitors will also get an opportunity to witness a static display of aircraft, weapon, radar and missiles systems of the Indian Air Force.

The ceremony is scheduled to conclude at around 11 am.

The aircraft will be flying at a low level. IAF confirmed in a release earlier.

IAF notified about the areas where the aircraft will be flying. 

The areas are Wazirpur bridge – Karwalnagar – Afjalpur - Hindan, Shamli – Jiwana – Chandinagar – Hindan, Hapur – Philkua – Ghaziabad – Hindan.