The Indian Air Force (IAF) the youngest of the three
defence services, was commissioned on October 8, 1932, with four single-propeller
engine Wapiti aircrafts, six pilot officers, two airmen and 19 Hawai Sepoys. The
first Indian Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Subroto Mukherjee one of the founding
members of the Air Force took over on 1st April 1954. Today, the IAF is the
fourth largest Airforce in the world with its forty-five squadron strength and
some of the most sophisticated fighter air crafts like Mirage 2000, MIG 29,
MIG 27, Jaguar, MIG 25, MIG 23 and MIG 21. The transport wing has the huge IL
76 (Gajraj), AN 32 and other smaller aircrafts.
Armed Forces offer excellent career opportunities to the adventurous young
candidates. Its a career that offers immense facilities, a privileged lifestyle
and of course, honour in serving the country. The major activity of the air
force is that of flying combat air crafts and helicopters. Other activities
include technical work such as aeronautical engineering, electronics, and
computer engineering, as well as administrative, financial and planning duties.
One can join the Air
Force either as an Officer or Airman. The officer cadre provides opportunities
for men having 10+2 (Intermediate), graduate, engineering and postgraduate degrees,
in their three different branches. Women who are graduates, engineers and post
graduates can join as an Officer in the Air force. The officers will be posted
either as a Pilot, or a Navigator, or a Technical or a Ground Duty officer in
any one of the Air Force bases. Women have opportunities only in the Officer cadre
of the Air force.
In the Airmen cadre, there are opportunities even
for class tenth pass (Matriculate) and below candidates, 10+2 (Intermediate),
Diploma, graduates, postgraduates etc in their technical and non-technical trade
fields.
