Indian Air Force

Since its formation on 8th October, 1932, the Indian Air Force has come a long way from its modest beginning to become a premier Air Force in the region with a formidable bulwark in national defence. The Indian Air Force is the fourth largest air force in the world.

• The Chief of Air Staff at Air Headquarters in New Delhi is assisted by the Vice-Chief of Air Staff responsible for operations. The former holds the rank of Air Chief Marshal.
• The Indian Air Force has five operational and two functional commands. The operational commands are the Western Air Command, the South Western Air Command and the Central Air Command with their headquarters at New Delhi, Gandhinagar and Allahabad.
• The Eastern Air Command and Southern Air Command have their headquarters at Shillong and Thiruvananthapuram respectively.
• The functional Commands are the Training command with its headquarters at Bangalore and the Maintenance Command with its headquarters at Nagpur.
• The IAF operates more than sixty air bases.
• In 2004, the IAF established its own special operation unit called Garud Commando Force which is tasked with the protection of critical installations, search and rescue during peace and hostilities and disaster relief. The Service has opened its doors to induction of women officers in all its branches including flying branch.