Page 44 - MILITARY-STUDIES-1

Armed Forces Module - II

Structure and
4.3.3 Organization of the Indian Air Force Role of the Forces

Similar to the army, the Indian Air Force has self sufficient fighting units. Each of these
units are grouped into larger force and placed under a Command. Under each
command the sub divisions are as follows:-

Section - This is the smallest unit in the Air Force. Three aircraft make a Section. It is
Note
commanded by a Flight Lieutenant.
Flight - Two sections make a Flight. A Flight is headed by a Squadron Leader.

Squadron - Squadrons are of two types Flying Squadron and Transport Squadron.
Three Flights make a Squadron. There are 18 aircraft in a fighting squadron headed
by a Commanding Officer who is of the rank of a Wing Commander/Group Captain.
However a Transport Squadron is headed by a Group Captain.
Wing - Two or three squadrons make a Wing. The wing is usually located at an Air
Force Station. The Wing is commanded by an Group Captain/Air Commodore.
Station - One Wing and one or two squadrons make a Station. It is commanded by
an Air Commodore. Larger stations are commanded by an Air Vice Marshal.

Command - An Operational Command can have nine or 16 bases or stations.

Intext Questions 4.3

1. How many Operational Commands does the Indian Air Force have?

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2. Explain the term 'squadron'.

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3. Explain the role of the Indian Air Force.

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What You Have Learnt

• Indian Army is organised in two parts. Combat Arms and Services. Combat

Arms is the fighting forces of the army and comprises (i) Armoured corps (ii)
Mechanised infantry (iii) Infantry. Aprt from combat arms remaining army is
organised under the services. Services include (i) Army Service Corps (ii) Army
Medical Corps (iii) Army Dental Corps (iv) Army Ordance Corps (v) Corps of
Electronics and Mechanical Engineers (vi) Remount and verternity corps (vii)
Military Farms Service (viii) Army Education Corps. (ix) Corps of Military Police

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MILITARY STUDIES 37