Indian Air Force, the air arm of the Indian Defence Services, was officially established on October 8, 1932, to protect the Indian Sky. The President of India is the supreme commander of the Air Force. The rank structure of the Indian Air Force is based on the structure of the Royal Air Force. “Touch the sky with glory” is the motto of the Indian Air Force.
Let us look at the rank structure of the Indian Air Force and also learn how to get commissioned in the force.
Commissioned Officers of the IAF
Rank- Marshal of the Air Force Description- Marshal of the Air Force is the highest rank in the Indian Air Force which is an honorary war time rank. This rank is known as the five-star rank. Many countries have this rank, but not all use it. Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh, DFC, was the only Marshal of Indian Air Force. Rank- Air Chief Marshal Description- This is the second highest rank in the Indian Air Force which is a four-star rank. Only an Air Chief Marshal holds the position of Chief of the Air Staff(CAS), who is the professional head and the commander of the Indian Air Force. The current CAS is Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa who took office on 31 December 2016, following the retirement of Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha. Rank- Air Marshal Description- It is a three-star rank in the Indian Air Force and is held by the officers who typically hold very senior appointments of the formation. Rank- Air Vice Marshal Description- Air Vice Marshal is a two-star officer rank in the Indian Air Force. Rank- Air Commodore Description- It is a single star rank which is the junior most rank in the star category. They act as direct support to air officer commanding. Rank- Group Captain Description- It is a senior commissioned rank in the Indian Air Force which is equivalent to Colonel in the army. Rank- Wing Commander Description- The rank of Wing Commander is just below the Group Captain but is a senior commissioned rank. Rank- Squadron Leader Description- It comes just after the rank of Wing Commander. Rank- Flight Lieutenant Description- It is a commissioned air force rank which comes just after Squadron Leader. The officer of this rank can never be addressed as only “Lieutenant”. Rank- Flying Officer Description- Flying Officer is also a commissioned rank which is not only held by officers who fly an aircraft. Sometimes ground duty officers or air crew officers also hold this rank.Junior Commissioned Officers of the IAF
Rank- Master Warrant Officer Description- This is the rank in which an officer is designated by warrant, unlike commissioned officers who get designated as an officer by a commission. It is the highest rank in Junior commissioned officers. Rank- Warrant Officer Description- It is the second highest rank in the junior commissioned rank. Rank- Junior Warrant Officer Description- Usually a technical leader or specialist holds the rank of Junior Warrant Officer.Non-Commissioned Officers of the IAF
Rank- Sergeant Description- This is the rank just below the Junior Warrant Officer and is a non-commissioned rank. Rank- Corporal Description- It is a military rank which corresponds to commanding a section or squad of soldiers. Rank- Leading Aircraftman Description- It is technically not a rank but it is a title given to Non-Commissioned Officers in the Air Force. Rank- Aircraftman Description- It is the lowest of all ranks in the Indian Air Force.A career in Air Force- Exams to clear and Entries
Indian Air Force has three branches 1)Flying branch – Flying Branch consists of Pilots. Both men and women can become pilots in the Indian Air Force. This branch actually flies the planes during operations and battles. There are three kinds of pilots in this branch:- Fighter Pilot
- Helicopter Pilot
- Transport Pilot
