Photos: Indian Air Force Day celebrations

Indian Air Force (IAF) soldiers march during the 88th Air Force Day parade at Hindon Air Force station in Ghaziabad. The day is being marked by the main event comprising a parade and flypast at Hindon Air Force Base along with events at IAF establishments across the country — this time with many restrictions due to the pandemic.

Indian Air Force (IAF) personnel march during the 88th Air Force Day parade. October 8 is celebrated as the Air Force Day because on this day, the Air Force in India was officially raised in 1932 as the supporting force of the Royal Air Force of the United Kingdom.

The first operational squadron came into being in April 1933. After participation in World War II, the Air Force in India came to be called the Royal Indian Air Force in the mid 1940s. In 1950, after the republic came into being it became the Indian Air Force. Above, Indian Air Force (IAF) paratroopers from the 'Akashganga' skydiving team glide during the Air Force Day parade at Hindon Air Force station.

Indian Air Force (IAF) Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) 'Sarang' team perform during the 88th Air Force Day parade at Hindon Air Force station.

Indian Air Force (IAF) C-17 aicraft (C) flies past during the 88th Air Force Day parade at Hindon Air Force station. The flypast consists of display of various fixed wing aircrafts and helicopters along with aerobatics display

Indian Air Force (IAF) Chinook helicopters transport a freight during the Air Force Day parade.

Paratrooper from the 'Akashganga' skydiving team glides during the 88th Air Force Day parade. For several decades until 2005-06, the Air Force Day used to be marked by the main event, parade and flypast at Palam. But due to the increasing air traffic issues, it was shifted to Hindon Air Force Base in Ghaziabad which is home to two squadrons of transport aircraft and a helicopter unit among other establishments

Visitors attend the 88th Air Force Day parade at Hindon Air Force station. This year, while gatherings of veterans have been put on hold in most of the formations, other celebrations have also been scaled down due to pandemic.

Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria (R) salutes from a military vehicle as he inspects the 88th Air Force Day parade at Hindon Air Force station. In an address on the occasion of the Air Force Day, the Chief of Air Staff also commended the air warriors for their "prompt response" in the recent standoff on the northern frontiers and talked about deployment of combat assets at short notice to handle any eventuality.

President Ram Nath Kovind on Thursday said the ongoing process of modernisation with induction of Rafale, Apache and Chinook will transform the Indian Air Force into an even more formidable strategic force. On the occasion of Air Force Day, he said the nation remains indebted to the contribution of the Indian Air Force (IAF) in securing our skies and assisting civil authorities in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. Above, Indian Air Force (IAF) newly recruited Rafale fighter jet flies past during the Air Force Day parade.

Indian Air Force (IAF) officers use a mobile phone during the Air Force Day parade at Hindon Air Force station.

Visitors watch as IAF's Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas lands after a fly pst during the 88th Air Force Day parade.

The main event at the Hindon Air Force Base comprised a parade by men and women air warriors.