President Droupadi Murmu on Friday awarded the prestigious President's Standard to 45 Squadron and 221 Squadron, and the President's Colours to 11 Base Repair Depot (BRD) and 509 Signal Unit (SU) of the Indian Air Force (IAF). The award of the President's Standard and Colours is the highest honour that can be bestowed upon any military unit.
This is the first time in the history of the IAF that four units have been awarded the President's Standard and Colours together in a single ceremony.
The President's Standard were received by Group Captain M Surendran, Commanding Officer of 45 Squadron and Group Captain Shubhankan, Commanding Officer of 221 Squadron.
The President's Colours were received by Air Commodore Ashutosh Vaidya, Air Officer Commanding of 11 BRD and Group Captain Vivek Sharma, Commanding Officer of 509 SU during an impressive parade at Air Force Station Hindan, Ghaziabad.
Addressing the parade, the President congratulated the units receiving the President's Standard and Colours, and commended them for their services to the nation.
She highlighted the courage, commitment and sacrifices of the Indian Air Force during war and peacetime operations, both within India and overseas.
She also brought out the important contributions of the IAF in the ongoing space programmes of the country and the upcoming Gaganyaan mission.
President Murmu also congratulated the women personnel of the IAF on the occasion of International Women's Day. She expressed happiness on the fact that women officers are provided with equal opportunities in every branch of the IAF, which provides them with greater opportunities for career advancement.