Do you get confused with the nomenclature of establishments in the @IAF_MCC ? Words like Comd/Wing/Station/ FBSU/ C&MU confuse you? This abridged thread tries to explain the structural philosophy which the IAF has followed, initially borrowed from the RAF. #IAFHistory (1/16)
The IAF HQ in Delhi is essentially divided along the Ops, Maint & Adm verticals. Its 5 geographical & 2 functional command HQs are likewise divided. Each Comd oversees numerous Stations that are largely functional in nature. These stations are named as per their functions. 2/
While Air Forces like the USAF & PAF have named their Stations after luminaries of their service, the IAF has largely stuck to numbering them (with very few recent exceptions) 3/
But it was not always like this. The IAF org has developed gradually over the years to be able to adapt to contemporary times. While some of that org is retained, others have been altered/modified. This thread attempts to clear the air. 4/
As early as the 1920s, the RAF had divided itself into three main functional domains – Operations (Flying and everything associated with flying), Maintenance & Administration. That fundamental structure remains the bedrock of IAF setup even today. 5/
Let’s take AirHQ of 1940s as an example. Its earliest setup had two verticals under- a “Senior Air Staff Officer (SASO)” & an “Air Offr IC Admin (AOA)”. Due to lack of Engrg Offrs in the initial yrs,Maint came under the AOA This structure was replicated in the lower tiers. 6/
In the years following indep, two verticals – those of ‘Maintenance’ & ‘Personnel’ were hived off the AOA’s charter & given an indep hierarchy. As of today, six verticals report directly to the chief. Originally manned by Air Cmde, these verticals are not headed by Air Mshls 7/
The next tier comprised the precursors of present-day Comd HQs. These were the No 1 Op Group & No 2 Trg Group. These Gps had stations/Sqns under their control. In 1947, No.1 Op Group comprised all of India and was the formation that won the Kashmir war under Baba Mehar Singh 8/
No 1 Op Group kept getting revived and disbanded repeatedly and to date has lived four avatars in the IAF. It is the only formation that can claim to be the forefather of no less than three Operational Commands of today! Hopefully, someday it will rise again! 9/
In 1949 both Groups (Op & Trg) were upgraded to Commands, this was to bring parity between Army and IAF. Other than No. 1 Group, this nomenclature did not survive. A “Wing” remains the highest estb within a command. 10/
At the time of independence, IAF had just 2 wings (Stations at Palam & Poona). But by the early 60s, the number was nearly 20. In addition, Transport Trg Wing, Fighter Trg Wing, 10 Adm Wing also came up as extensions of the philosophy. These institutions exist to this date. 11/
IAF has many airstrips, not all of which need to be wings. Thus came about the "Care & Maintenance unit" where an airbase had skeleton staff that kept the base operational for occasional flying. The famous battle of Longewala was fought when W/C MS Bawa activated 14 C&MU . 12/
Another mini-wing concept that emerged was the "Forward Base Supply Unit" (FBSU), which had a full setup of staff to support flying ops, but did not have sqns/units based permanently, but would visit on detachments round the year. FBSUs tended to be closer to the borders. 13/
One lesser-used nomenclature was that of Staging Post (SP). No. 1 SP functioned at Car Nicobar for refuelling of ac flying lgs msns from the mainland across the Bay of Bengal. This remains the only known Staging Post. 14/
An even lesser-known unit was MEMU (Mobile Echelon Maintenance Unit). Amritsar & Sirsa were 4 & 5 MEMU’s respectively in the early 70s. Over time, C&MU grew to FBSU which grew into Wings as the size of IAF increased and the role of each unit expanded. 15/
These Stns-no matter what their name-continue to host various units – some pertaining to flying, others to maint & adm. Units are generally mobile, as this interesting read from the Natl Archives indicates. “Stations” however, are static formations that serve units. 15/
In the operational sense, it is the units that do the war fighting – directly or indirectly. Thus, a Unit is the tip of the IAF’s spear and the wing/command the brains, the hand that indirectly wields it. 16/
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1/8: Reflecting on the success of India’s Radar & Communication Indigenisation Project, I had to ask—why did it succeed while other aviation projects, faced significant delays, despite similar govt mechanisms?
2/8: Objective clarity was the cornerstone of RCPO. The primary goal? Plugging air defence gaps.This target was broken down into milestones spanning a decade. Indigenisation followed. Of the initial ₹185 Cr budget, ₹105 Cr was for foreign eqpt—a decade later, this had reversed
3/8: Breaking down objectives into visible milestones was a game-changer. RCPO had deliverables every 2-3 years: set up X nodes, design/ install Y radars, and build Z software. When stakeholders can see progress they benefit from, confidence and support skyrocket.
For a long time, I wondered why the Chief of the @IAF_MCC was called the "Chief of Air Staff" and not the "Air Force Chief" or something similar. Well, at least I am finally enlightened. Sharing this brief of my exploration. (1/7)
#IAFHistory
The early 20th century witnessed a significant transformation in military structures, driven by the harsh realities of the Boer Wars (1899-1902). Reflecting on the conflict's challenges, the concept of "Staffs of the Services" emerged. 2/
These staff comprised officers with specialised qualifications tasked with reflective work, including acquiring and digesting extensive information, studying war possibilities, and preparing plans for potential scenarios. 3/
Jamangar Air Force station is in news these days. Jamnagar holds a very important place in @IAF_MCC. A topic worthy of a longer thread, but a few milestones are mentioned here.
A short thread (1/13) #IAFHistory
Jamanagar was not an Air Force Airbase before Independence, though the Jam Saheb was popular in the aviation circles. Post-independence, IAF was searching for a air firing and bombing range. After a search - it settled up Jamnagar and called it Armament Training Wing (ATW). 2/
The Jam Saheb was very fond of the Air Force and helped it immensely. It had an air to ground range at Sarmat and and air to air range in gulf of Kutch near the coastal strip of Jodhya - Balachandi. ATW was visited by Squadrons for training for a few weeks in rotation. 3/
Air Marshal Ravinder Nath Bharadwaj, PVSM, MVC, VM, affectionately nicknamed "Mummy", passed away at 89 yesterday.
He was awarded MVC during the 1971 War, attacking Pakistan's airfields in the west. He was one of the only two Sqn Ldrs to receive this award(1/9)
#IAFHistory
From the 66th Pilot Course, he was commissioned in 1955 & joined the fighter stream. In 1961, he qualified as a Pilot Attack Instructor, the modern-day "Top Gun". The CO of PAI School, Nobby Clarke, gave the nickname "Mummy" for his sweet demeanour. It stuck for life. 2/
Mummy also served in training extensively - He served as an instructor in Iraq & was with the OTU, training hunter pilots before the 1971 War, which earned him a Vayu Sena Medal, too. he continued his role in training later in life in staff appointments. 3/
While researching the initial lot of Cranwell graduates, I came across a name that caught my eye. This name was that of a certain Mr WHJ Wilkinson CIE ICS, whose name figures in most entry forms of the @IAF_MCC Cadets who went to Cranwell. The name did intrigue me a lot. (1/18)
My subsequent research revealed the story of a man who lived a very interesting life in India. It is a story that needs to be told, even if not directly related to #IAFHistory. It also has some gaps (gaps that I hope will be filled by crowdsourcing). 2/
Walter Hugh John Wilkinson was born in 1874 & went on to study at Oxford. Joining the ICS as a Political Officer, the 23-year-old arrived in India on 29 Nov 1897. His first five years were spent in various capacities in Bombay.. 3/
What was it like to be in the @IAF_MCC in 1933?
This narrative captures the essence of that first year, viewed through the eyes of the early aviators. Little did they know their journey would demand courage and sacrifice. (1/20) #IAFHistory
The first Indian Air Force officers completed their education at RAF College Cranwell in July 1932. They spent a few months training in England. Subsequently, in April 1933, they returned to India to create the first flight of the No 1 Squadron. 2/
Flight Lieutenant Cecil "Boy" Bouchier assumed command of this Flight. Boy Bouchier was a distinguished WWI veteran honoured with the DFC, AFC, and Polish and French Crosses. He volunteered for this role when no other British officer was prepared to lead. 3/