Prayagraj: The Indian Air Force’s Central Air Command (CAC) commemorated the 107th birth anniversary of Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh, DFC, with a series of spirited events across all its stations and units, celebrating the legendary air warrior’s enduring legacy of leadership, courage, and foresight.
Marshal Arjan Singh (April 15, 1919 to September 16, 2017), the only officer to hold the five-star rank of Marshal of the Indian Air Force, remains one of the most revered figures in the country’s military history. As Chief of the Air Staff during the 1965 Indo-Pakistani War, he led the IAF with distinction, earning the Padma Vibhushan for his outstanding command. His service, which began in the Royal Indian Air Force in 1939, spanned decades and continues to serve as a guiding light for generations of air warriors.
On Tuesday, personnel from every formation under Central Air Command participated enthusiastically in a range of commemorative activities, including a 5-kilometre walkathon, cyclothon, and tree plantation drives. These events symbolised fitness, environmental consciousness, and the spirit of unity that defined Marshal Arjan Singh’s command philosophy.
At CAC Headquarters in Prayagraj, Air Marshal B. Manikantan, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Central Air Command, flagged off the commemorative walkathon. Air Warriors and their families joined the event in large numbers, reflecting deep respect for the Marshal and reaffirming their commitment to the nation.
Speaking on the occasion, senior officers highlighted how Marshal Arjan Singh’s exemplary career, from his gallantry in World War II, where he earned the Distinguished Flying Cross, to his pivotal role in 1965, embodies the highest traditions of the Indian Air Force. His promotion to Marshal in 2002 was a rare honour that recognised his lifetime of extraordinary service.
The events organised by Central Air Command not only honoured the memory of the legendary leader but also reinforced the IAF’s core values of professionalism, camaraderie, and service before self. As one officer noted, “Marshal Arjan Singh’s indomitable spirit and strategic vision remain as relevant today as they were on the battlefields of 1965.”
Such commemorations serve as powerful reminders to serving personnel of the rich heritage they inherit and the high standards they are expected to uphold. Across the vast expanse under Central Air Command’s responsibility, stretching from the Himalayan frontiers to the central heartlands, the legacy of Marshal Arjan Singh continues to inspire readiness, excellence, and pride in uniform.
contact: drrajeshjauhri@gmail.com
Dr Rajesh Jauhri is a Journalist with an experience of over 25 years in Indian and foreign media, a Social Scientist, an Ac-complished Author, a Political & Strategic Analyst, a Marksman (Rifle & Pistol), an Orator, a Thinker and an Educationist. He holds a Ph.D. degree on “Impact of colonial heritage on Indian police”. He runs an NGO dedicated to the social and eco-nomic uplift of tribal communities in MP and two decades back, he established a school in a village of Indore district, providing education and moral values to children belonging to underprivileged and minority families. Has received multiple awards in various fields.
