One-year countdown marking the golden jubilee of BAF inaugurated

Minister for Liberation War Affairs AKM Mozammel Haque has inaugurated the one-year countdown marking the golden jubilee of Bangladesh Airforce (BAF) on Monday at a ceremony held at the BAF Shaheen Hall in Dhaka.

The minister also unveiled two commemorative stamps marking the occasion, said a press release issued by BAF.

Chief of Air Staff of BAF, Air Chief Marshal Masihuzzaman Serniabat along with principal staff officers of air headquarters, invited guests and senior military and civil officials including Kilo Flight veterans were present in the ceremony.

During the inauguration ceremony, the minister paid homage to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and paid his deepest respects to all the martyrs of the liberation war including Bir Sreshto Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman, the release said.

He also prayed for the salvation of their departed souls and conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the family members of the martyrs.

The minister said that the initiatives taken by the Bangladesh Air Force to implement various programs throughout the year to celebrate the Golden Jubilee would undoubtedly inspire the new generation with the spirit of the liberation war.

Bangladesh Air Force started its indomitable journey at Dimapur in India on 28 September 1971 as 'Kilo Flight' with one Otter aircraft, one Dakota aircraft and one Allouette helicopter.

A total of 57 members were in Kilo Flight including Bengali pilots, technicians of the then Pakistan Air Force and the aviators of Pakistan International Airlines. Kilo Flight played a vital role in accelerating our victory by conducting 50 air operations successfully during the liberation war.