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This Air Force veteran goes nostalgic
On the eve of the 83rd Air Force Day celebration, CityTAB caught up with Air Force veteran, Air Commodore PAR Kumar (retd) (73) to recall the greatness of the Indian Air Force.
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On the eve of the 83rd Air Force Day celebration, CityTAB caught up with Air Force veteran, Air Commodore PAR Kumar (retd) (73) to recall the greatness of the Indian Air Force.
Recollecting its inception, he says, “The IAF was officially established on October 8, 1982 as an auxiliary air force of the British Empire and the prefix Royal was added in 1945 in recognition of its services during World War II.
“After India became independent from the United Kingdom in 1947, the Royal Indian Air Force served the Dominion of India, with the prefix being dropped when India became a republic in 1950.
Since independence, the IAF has been involved in four wars with neighbouring Pakistan and one with the People's Republic of China.
Other major operations undertaken by the IAF include Operation Vijay – the annexation of Goa, Operation,” says the retired Air Commodore.
He joined the IAF in 1964 as ‘Transport Pilot’ and worked varied positions. Later, he was promoted to ‘Wing Commander’ in 1977 and subsequently elevated to ‘Squadron Leader’ at Air Head Quarters in New Delhi and then to Director of IGRUA.
During his 31 years of service he was engaged in carrying the heads of the governments and states to national and international destinations; he flew Prime Ministers and Presidents between the periods of Indira Gandhi to Rajiv Gandhi.
He was sent to this coveted unit in 1977 after he had successfully completed defence services staff college, Wellington. He was at Palem in New Delhi during the periods of Indira Gandhi, Gyani Zail Singh and Morarji Desai, former Prime Ministers of India.
In his second tenure he had also commanded the prestigious unit as group captain and had left in late 1988.Speaking on the operation range of the IAF, he shares,
“Apart from conflicts, the IAF has been an active participant in United Nations peacekeeping missions like Operation Meghdoot (1984), Operation Cactus (1988) and Operation Poomalai (1987).”
Air Commodre PAR Kumar is the recipient of many awards including the ‘Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) for his distinguished services of exceptional order to all ranks of armed forces.
He retired in 1966 while he was the Director of Indira Gandhi Udan Academy (IGURA) and settled in Hyderabad.
By:Ch Saibaba
