Bangladesh Air Force celebrated her 50th anniversary on Tuesday, said ISPR.
BAF observes this day as ‘Air Force Day’. It is mentionable that responding to the call of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the heroic freedom fighters of the Air Force defected Pakistan Air Force and participated in the war of liberation.
Besides participating in the war, Air Force officers also successfully performed as Deputy Chief of Staff and Sector Commanders. During the peak of the war, necessity of an Air Force was felt strongly, thus BAF came into being on 28 September 1971 at Dimapur, India.
That journey started as ‘Kilo Flight’ with one Otter aircraft, one Dakota aircraft and one Allouette helicopter and 57 expatriates from Pakistan Air Force and Pakistan International Airlines. With about 50 operations ‘Kilo Flight’ had shaken the nerve of Pakistani Forces by attacking strategic targets like Fuel depot at Godnail in Narayanganj and Eastern Refinery, Chattogram.
In celebration of 50th anniversary, Bangladesh BAF put up aerial display of numeric ‘50’ by PT-6 aircrafts over Faridpur, Narayanganj and Dhaka. Fighter aircraft of BAF comprising Mig-29 and F-7 flew over Godnail in Narayanganj, Eastern Refinery in Chattogram, House of AVM Sultan Mahmud, Officer Commanding, Kilo Flight to commemorate the courageous contribution of Kilo Flight during Liberation War.
In addition to that, a fascinating fly past over Tejgaon airfield was conducted by C-130, K-8W, PT-6 aircraft, Mi-17 and Bell-212 helicopters.
On this occasion, spectacular fireworks and cultural program were arranged in the evening. Air Chief Marshal Shaikh Abdul Hannan graced the occasion as chief guest. In the program, a documentary film based on ‘Kilo Flight’ was screened highlighting the contribution, sacrifice, spirit of independence and patriotism of the members of Bangladesh BAF during the liberation war. Among others, Kilo Flight veterans, former Chiefs of BAF, Principal Staff Officers of Air Headquarters, invited guests, senior military and civil officials were also present on the occasion.
