Ghaziabad, October 8, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh on Thursday said the force’s role extends beyond combat operations, highlighting its humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions in India and abroad as an expression of the principle of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ — the world is one family.
Addressing the Indian Air Force Day celebrations at Hindon Air Force Station in Ghaziabad, Singh said IAF personnel had repeatedly responded to natural disasters by helping protect lives and property and delivering relief to affected communities.
“The Indian Air Force is renowned not only for its combat capability, but also for an unwavering commitment to serving the nation and humanity when the time comes,” he said.
“Our air warriors have promptly responded to devastating floods and severe wildlife fires in various regions by protecting lives and property and delivering relief to the affected people,” the Air Chief Marshal added.
Singh said the IAF’s humanitarian commitment also extended beyond India’s borders.
“We have been consistently promoting the principle of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ through humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions around the world,” he said.
The IAF Chief also stressed the importance of leadership and responsibility within the force, saying commanders were delegating responsibilities to strengthen decision-making while airmen were developing their leadership capabilities.
“Every airman is an important part of their organisation. We should all feel proud of our duties and responsibilities,” Singh said, urging personnel to ensure that they did not become a weak link in the Air Force’s operational chain.
Earlier, he underlined the importance of professional training in maintaining operational preparedness.
“Operational capability rides on the back of professional training,” he said, adding that the IAF follows the principle of “train as we fight”.
Singh said aircrew and ground crew undergo realistic exercises so that their skills become second nature. The training, he said, prepares personnel for a range of missions, including defending Indian airspace, providing disaster relief and conducting punitive strikes.
The Indian Air Force was established on October 8, 1932, as an auxiliary air force of British India. Over the decades, it has evolved into a major air power and an integral part of India’s armed forces.
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