– Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh Makes Final Visit to Hindon Air Base in Vintage Staff Car ‘Ford Galaxie’

New Delhi, October 8 (HS): Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh said that the world is undergoing rapid transformation, creating uncertainty and increasingly complex geopolitical challenges. With new conflicts emerging in different parts of the world, these developments have clearly demonstrated that air power remains the principal means of safeguarding a nation’s interests. He said the country witnessed firsthand the Indian Air Force’s destructive capability as well as its effective air defence operations during Operation Sindoor.

Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh arrived at Hindon Air Base in a vintage staff car, the ‘Ford Galaxie’, to attend the programme marking the 94th Air Force Day. It was his final Air Force Day in office, as the Chief is scheduled to relinquish his uniform on October 31. The vintage vehicle therefore served as a fitting final ride for the Air Chief.

The vintage staff car, which became part of the Indian Air Force in 1969 and has subsequently been used by successive Chiefs of the Air Staff, has been carefully preserved. Its public appearance on the occasion offered a poignant glimpse into the rich history and traditions of the Indian Air Force.

After taking the salute at the parade, the Air Chief said that the entire world had witnessed over the past year how swiftly the Indian Air Force had advanced into combat operations. During Operation Sindoor, he said, the country had seen firsthand the Indian Air Force’s formidable striking power as well as its effective air defence operations.

Therefore, he said, “Acurate, impregnable and precise” is not merely a tagline but a testament to the force’s strength and resolve.

The Air Chief said that, as the custodian of air power, the Indian Air Force fully understands its role and responsibilities and remains alert, committed and prepared to deal with any emergency. He said commanders were promoting effective decision-making by appropriately distributing responsibilities and were fostering leadership qualities among all air warriors.

He said an air force may possess some of the world’s most advanced aircraft or sophisticated systems, but its true strength is measured by its operational preparedness.

The Air Chief said the Indian Air Force’s operational capability and preparedness were moving in the right direction. A culture of ownership and accountability is also becoming stronger across the force, he added.

Equipment, technology and platforms are merely tools, he said, stressing that the real source of the force’s success is its air warriors. By upholding the core values of the armed forces, they are moving beyond a tenure-based mindset and contributing to nation-building.

Every air warrior, he said, is an essential link in the organisation. He urged all personnel to take pride in their duties and responsibilities and ensure that, regardless of how difficult circumstances may become, they never become the weak link that compromises the strength of the Air Force chain.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar