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The Indian Air Force Module - IV

Armed Forces Today
Operational Commands
o Central Air Command (CAC), Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh
o Eastern Air Command (EAC), Shillong, Meghalaya
o Southern Air Command (SAC), Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala

o South Western Air Command (SWAC), Gandhinagar, Gujarat
o Western Air Command (WAC), New Delhi Note

Functional Commands
The role of a Functional Command is to maintain, rain and administer the Air
Force. The various Commands are:-
o Training Command (TC), Bangalore, Karnataka
o Maintenance Command (MC), Nagpur, Maharashtra

Wings
A wing is a formation. It generally consists of two or three IAF squadrons and

helicopter units, along with forward base support units. A group captain typically
commands wings. In all there are 47 wings and 19 forward base units in the
IAF.

Squadrons and units
Squadrons are the field units attached to a Station. For example, No2 Squadron
is located at Ambala. Thus, a flying squadron or unit of an Air Force Station
carries out the primary task of the IAF. A fighter squadron consists of 18 aircraft;
all fighter squadrons are headed by a commanding officer of the rank of Wing
Commander.

Flights

Flights are sub-divisions of squadrons, commanded by a Squadron Leader.
Each flight consists of two sections.
Sections

The smallest unit is the section, led by a Flight Lieutenant. Each section consists
of three aircraft.

Integrated Space Cell

An Integrated Space Cell, which will be jointly operated by all the three services of the
Indian Armed Forces, the civilian Department of Space and the Indian Space Research
Organisation (ISRO) has been set up to utilise more effectively the country's space-
based assets for military purposes. This cell will use space technology including satellites.
Unlike an aerospace command, where the air force controls most of its activities, the
Integrated Space Cell envisages co-operation and co-ordination between the three

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MILITARY HISTORY 23