Article Posted on : - Aug 31, 2015

BENGALURU (PTI): Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha on Saturday said Indian Air Force's mission was to build a modern, flexible and credible aerospace power with full spectrum capability to safeguard the national interest.

Delivering the inaugural address on the occasion of Air Marshal Subroto Memorial Oration organised at the Institute of Aeronautical Medicines here, he also highlighted the important components of IAF transformation in 'HR development'.

Raha, who had in the past addressed this forum on technological advances and the role of aero space medicines specialists in enhancing operational efficiency and flight safety, said he found it heartening to know the field trials on various counter measures are underway and active work is being undertaken to find out objective methods of detecting and combating fatigue.

Speaking on this year's theme- Women in Aviation, he said "women have already made significant contributions across the aerospace spectrum be it commercial, military or space related," Indian Society Of Aerospace Medicine said in a release.

Pointing out the achievements made by women aviators like Kalpana Chawla, Sunita William, and also remembering Flight Cadet Harita Kaur Deol, the country's first women military pilot, he said ever since then we have come to a long way and today we have over 1500 women officers in the IAF and nearly 100 women pilots in the helicopter and transport fleet.

They have flown IL-76, Mi-8 and one of them is a member of Sarang Aerobatic Team. All these officers have served the IAF with courage, professionalism, pride and enthusiasm that has made them very valuable members of 'Team IAF', he said.