At a colourful ceremonial parade, held at Air Force Station Jamnagar on 04 March 16, The President of India awarded the Presidential Standard to 119 Helicopter Unit and the Presidential Colours to 28 Equipment Depot. Indian Air Force’s operational squadrons become eligible for award of Presidential Standard after completion of 18 years of service to the Nation. The selection is based on the unit’s performance and achievements during peace as well as hostilities.
Interacting with media after the function, Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha, Chief of the Air Staff said that Indian Air Force is on a trajectory of modernisation and is transforming into a strategic aerospace power with full spectrum capability. Accretion through new acquisitions, replacement of obsolete equipment with stateof- the art inductors and up gradation of vintage weapon platforms would definitely go a long way in enhancing IAF capabilities. He also emphasised that the long term planning of the IAF would ensure that the men and women in blue continue to achieve greater level of professional skills and capabilities. He stated that the challenge for IAF is to manage the fast-paced changes effectively, without compromising on the high operational Standards.