SSC CGL 2015:- General Knowledge

(Part-3)

Indian Air Force

The Indian Air Force was officially established on 8 October 1932.

Brief History

The past 75 years have been eventful for Indian Air Force (IAF) from a flight of 'Wapitis' in 1932, to the fourth largest, professionally acclaimed, strategic Air Force responsible for guarding Nation's vital interests. From 1948 to Kargil, the IAF has always fielded wining capabilities. IAF's professional and prompt operations in peace time, at home and abroad and in peacekeeping, have earned many accolades.
The first five pilots commissioned into the Indian Air Force were H C Sircar, Subroto Mukerjee, Bhupendra Singh, A B Awan and Amarjeet Singh. A sixth officer, S N Tandon had to revert to Ground duties as he was too short. All of them were commissioned as ''Pilot Officers'' in 1933. Subroto Mukerjee later went on to become the IAF's first Indian Chief of Air Staff. Subsequent batches inducted before World_War_2 included Aspy Engineer, K K Majumdar, Narendra, R H D Singh, S N Goyal, Baba Mehar Singh, Prithpal Singh and Arjan Singh.
The Indian Air Force is headed by Chief of Air Staff with its headquarters at New Delhi. He is assisted by six Principal Staff Officers, Vice Chief of Air Staff, Deputy Chief of Air Staff, Air Officer Incharge Administration, Air Officer Incharge Maintenance, Air Officer Incharge Personnel and Training and Inspector General Flight Safety and Inspection. 

S.No.	Command	Headquarter
1	Western command	New Delhi
2	Central command	Allahabad
3	Eastern command	Shillong
4	South western command	Jodhpur
5	Training command	Bangaluru
6	Maintenance command	Nagpur
7	Southern command	Thiruvananthapuram

The Air force combat fleet is made up of 45 squadrons consists a variety of fighters, fighter-bombers, fighter interceptors, bombers and transport and logistics support aircraft.

1. Air chief Marshal
2. Air Marshal
3. Air Vice Marshal
4. Air Commodore
5. Group Captain
6. Wing Commander
7. Squardron Leader
8. Flt. Lieutenant
9. Flying officers