Prayagraj, 13 Aug (HS): On the occasion of India’s 80th Independence Day, paying

tribute to the defenders of our national airspace, standing strong from the

hallowed aviation ground of Bamrauli.

I. The Cradle of Indian Aviation: As India celebrates her historic 80th

Independence Day, our gaze naturally ascends to the heavens. Over the ancient

and sacred city of Prayagraj, those heavens are secured by the relentless,

round-the-clock guardianship of the Indian Air Force’s Central Air Command

(CAC). Rooted firmly in the historic soil of Prayagraj, CAC's modern-day watch

is built upon the very foundations of Indian aviation history. Indeed, it was

from the hallowed airfield of Bamrauli that the nation's aviation saga first

took wing on the 18th of February, 1911

On that epoch-making day, French pioneer pilot Henri Piquet piloted a

Humber-Sommer Biplane from Bamrauli to Naini, carrying 6,500 letters across the

holy Ganges River during the auspicious Kumbh Mela. This historic journey was

recorded as the world's first official airmail flight, eternally linking the

heritage of Prayagraj with the global history of aviation.

Following this early triumph, the strategic importance of the region grew.

In 1929, the Bamrauli aerodrome was officially established, serving as one of

the earliest landmarks of Indian flight. Decades later, as India strengthened

its defense structure post-independence, this historical lineage was preserved.

The illustrious Barnett Hotel, which stood adjacent to the aerodrome since the

early twentieth century and witnessed the birth of the airfield, was

transferred to the Indian Air Force in 1962. It was renamed the Air Command House, serving

as the official residence and a timeless monument to leadership, representing

the deep heritage that links Prayagraj to the defense of India’s skies.

II. A Strategic Shield for India's Heartland

The origin of the Central Air Command traces back to the 10th of June, 1963,

when it was initially established at Rani Kutir in Kolkata to oversee air

operations across the vital eastern and central sectors. However, as strategic

defense doctrines matured, the need for a permanent headquarters situated in

deep strategic depth became paramount. In February 1966, under the leadership

of Air Vice Marshal Sondhi, Headquarters CAC officially relocated to the city

of Prayagraj.

The selection of Prayagraj was highly deliberate: Equidistant from major

operational border stations and shielded within the absolute center of India's

geographic landmass, the city provided an ideal combination of robust,

pre-existing aviation infrastructure at Bamrauli and defensive strategic depth.

Today, the Command's geographical Area

of Responsibility (AoR) is truly immense, stretching across eight Indian

states—Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh,

Jharkhand, Maharashtra, and parts of OdishaAs the primary custodian of the

nation's strategic air combat and support assets, Central Air Command reaches

across this vital sector, securing the skies from the peaks of the Himalayas to

the plains of central India.

.दमनीया आत्मशत्रवः — Vanquish the Enemy: A

motto etched in courage and realized across six decades of safeguarding India's

heartland, standing as the vigilant, silent sentinel of our skies from the

historic base of Prayagraj.

III. Vanquishing the Enemy: Six Decades of Operational Valour

Operating under the proud Sanskrit motto, “दमनीया

आत्मशत्रवः”—translated as

“Vanquish the Enemy”—the air warriors of the Central Air Command have written

pages of air combat excellence

From its headquarters at Prayagraj, CAC has directed and participated in

every major operational campaign since its inception

During the conflicts of 1962 and 1965, the Command's transport and

helicopter squadrons worked tirelessly under hazardous, extreme weather

conditions, conducting reconnaissance, crucial air maintenance, and emergency

casualty evacuations (CASEVACs) across the unmapped, treacherous peaks of the

Himalayas to sustain Indian ground forces

.The air battles of 1965 also cemented the legend of CAC's offensive

capabilities

Operating in Canberras of the 106 Squadron ('Lynx') based at Agra, legendary

pilot Wing Commander Jag Mohan Nath, MVC & Bar flew daring, low-level night

reconnaissance missions deep into hostile territory, delivering punitive blows

to key adversary airbases, including Peshawar

Already decorated for his gallant performance in Aksai Chin in 1962, his

1965 exploits earned him the historic distinction of being the first Indian Air

Force officer to be awarded the Maha Vir Chakra (MVC) and Bar—an eternal

chapter in the operational history of CAC

The decisive victory of 1971 and the liberation of Bangladesh saw CAC's

offensive might at its peak

In a swift and devastating retaliation launched on the night of the 3rd of

December, 1971, CAC's Canberras spearheaded precision strikes, striking

adversary fuel reserves at Drigh Road near Karachi and destroying approximately

60 percent of their oil reserves

Decades later, during the 1999 Kargil War (Operation Safed Sagar), CAC's

fighter squadrons based at Gwalior and Gorakhpur rose to the occasion once

again

Operating at extreme high altitudes, Mirage 2000s executed historic,

high-precision strikes using Laser-Guided Bombs to annihilate entrenched

positions over Tiger Hill and Muntho Dhalo, a decisive factor that turned the

tide of the conflict

This formidable offensive capability was demonstrated again on the 26th of

February, 2019, when Gwalior-based Mirage 2000s executed the historic Balakot

air strikes

More recently, in Operation Sindoor, CAC's squadrons, including the front

line 24 Squadron ('Hawks') and 50 Squadron ('Adwitiya'), operated around the

clock to guarantee absolute airspace security

.IV. In Service of the People: Humanity in Times of Crisis

Beyond their lethal offensive capability, the air warriors of Prayagraj are

equally defined by their unwavering compassion. . CAC’s transport and

helicopter squadrons have consistently acted as the nation’s first responders

in the face of national crises. Over the decades, the Command has saved

countless lives and provided vital succour during major natural disasters,

including the Odisha Super Cyclone (1999), the devastating Bhuj Earthquake

(2001), the Indian Ocean Tsunami (2004), Operation Rahat during the Kedarnath

flash floods (2013), Operation Meghrahat at Srinagar (2014), and flood relief

missions across Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh

.For the citizens of Prayagraj, the presence of the Air Force is synonymous

with safety and reassurance: This integration with civic life is deeply visible

during regional traditions. During the historic Maha Kumbh Mela 2025, which

witnessed over 660 million pilgrims gathering at the Triveni Sangam, Air Force

Station Bamrauli played a vital role in organizing security and logistics. Bamrauli's

Air Traffic Control (ATC) under 29 Wing efficiently handled 3,648 scheduled and

1,904 non-scheduled flights, guaranteeing flawless air safety for pilgrims.

The skies of Prayagraj have also hosted spectacles of celebration: in

October 2023, CAC conducted a grand Air Force Day fly-past of over seventy

aircraft over the Sangam, mesmerizing a massive 'sea of humanity' of 10 to 15

lakh spectators. On the ground, the Air Force Families Welfare Association

(Regional) CAC located at Prayagraj actively supports local communities,

orphanages, and old age homes. To foster patriotism, the No. 4 Air Force Band

regularly presents public concerts, such as the memorable performance at Azad

Park

V. Flying High: The Wings of the Future - Today, as Central Air Command

enters its seventh decade in Prayagraj, it has evolved into a highly networked,

digitized, and modern combat force. . The legendary aircraft of the past—the

Canberras, Spitfires, and Gnats—have made way for state-of-the-art platforms

that form India's offensive punch. CAC's skies are now guarded by formidable

Su-30 MKI, Mirage 2000, and Jaguar fighter jets, integrated with the

sophisticated AWACS 'Eye in the Sky' (50 Squadron) and IL-78 Flight Refueling

Aircraft. The logistics and transport capabilities have seen a paradigm shift

with the induction of the versatile Airbus C-295 medium-lift tactical aircraft

in early 2025, operating alongside Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH Mk-III) and

Mi-17 V5 fleets

As the national tricolor flutters in the monsoon breeze of this 80th

Independence Day, the thunderous roar of aircraft ascending from the Bamrauli

runway serves as a powerful reassurance. It is the sound of our sovereignty

secured, our borders protected, and our future safeguarded. Standing strong

from the historic airfield where India’s aviation first took wing, the Central

Air Command remains—now and forever—the vigilant sentinel of India’s heartland,

flying high with the spirit of absolute service to the nation. Jai Hind!

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi