86th Air Force Day observed

86th Indian Air Force (IAF) day was celebrated on 8 October 2018 to commemorate the official foundation day of the force.

• Celebration of the day seeks to increase the awareness about the importance of IAF as an important part of the national security.
• It also seeks to pay rich tribute to the untiring efforts and supreme sacrifice made by air force veterans.

About the Indian Air Force (IAF):

• IAF is the world's fourth largest air force (after US, Russia and China) with primary responsibility to secure Indian airspace and to conduct aerial warfare during conflict.
• It was officially established on October 8, 1932 as an auxiliary air force of the British Empire and the prefix Royal was added in 1945 in recognition of its services during World War II.
• After India became independent from the United Kingdom (UK) in 1947, the Royal Indian Air Force served Dominion of India, with prefix being dropped when India became a republic in 1950.
• Since then, IAF has played pivotal roles in various operations and wars such as World War II, Operation Cactus, Sino-Indian War, Operation Vijay, Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, Kargil War, Indo-Pakistani War of 1947, Congo Crisis, Operation Poomalai and Operation Pawan.
• Air Force Day was officially celebrated for the first time on October 8, 1932 as an auxiliary air force of Indian Empire.

Question:

Q. What was celebrated on 8 October 2018?
a. 86th Indian Air Force (IAF) day
b. 87th Indian Air Force (IAF) day
c. 88th Indian Air Force (IAF) day
d. None of the above