On March 8, 2024, the esteemed President of India and Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces, Smt Droupadi Murmu, bestowed the prestigious President’s Standard upon the 45 Squadron and 221 Squadron, and awarded the President’s Colours to the 11 Base Repair Depot (BRD) and 509 Signal Unit (SU) of the Indian Air Force (IAF). The presentation of the President’s Standard and Colours is the highest honor that can be conferred upon any military unit. This ceremony marked a historic occasion for the IAF as it was the first time that four units were honored with the President’s Standard and Colours simultaneously.
Upon arrival, the Hon’ble President was greeted with an aerial salute by three Mi-171V helicopters forming the ‘Dhwaj’ formation, displaying the national flag. General VK Singh (Retd), Minister of State for Civil Aviation, also graced the event. Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, Chief of the Air Staff, and senior officers of the Indian Air Force were in attendance on this significant day.
The ceremonial parade was under the command of Group Captain KS Sanu Nair of the 11 BRD. First Day covers commemorating the 45 Squadron, 221 Squadron, 11 Base Repair Depot, and 509 Signal Unit were unveiled by the Hon’ble President during the ceremony.
Group Captain M Surendran, Commanding Officer of the 45 Squadron, and Group Captain Shubhankan, Commanding Officer of the 221 Squadron, received the President’s Standard, while Air Commodore Ashutosh Vaidya, Air Officer Commanding of the 11 BRD, and Group Captain Vivek Sharma, Commanding Officer of the 509 SU, accepted the President’s Colours during an impressive parade at Air Force Station Hindan, Ghaziabad.
In her address to the parade, the Hon’ble President extended her congratulations to the units receiving the President’s Standard & Colours, lauding their dedicated service to the nation.
She praised the courage, commitment, and sacrifices of the Indian Air Force during wartime and peacetime operations, both domestically and internationally. Additionally, she highlighted the significant contributions of the IAF to the nation’s space programs and the upcoming Gaganyaan mission.
On the occasion of International Women’s Day, the Hon’ble President congratulated the women personnel of the IAF, expressing satisfaction that women officers are provided with equal opportunities in every branch of the IAF, thus enabling them to advance in their careers.
