78th Anniversary of MAF: SSPC Chairman C-in-CDS graced the ceremony

The ceremony for the 78th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Air Force of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar was held at the Air Force Headquarters Base in Nay Pyi Taw on December 15.

The Chairman of the State Security and Peace Commission, Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, graced the ceremony. First, the SSPC Chairman, Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services, delivered an address. He stated that looking back at the history of the Air Force, it began during the Second World War with the formation of the Burma Volunteer Air Unit (BVAU) and the Burma Volunteer Air Force (BVAF) in stages.

After World War II and before Myanmar's independence, on December 15, 1947, the Air Force Act was enacted, officially establishing it as the Air Force. Today marks its 78th anniversary. Shortly after the Air Force was formed, multi-colored armed insurgent uprisings erupted across the nation.

To protect and preserve the country's independence and sovereignty, while engaged in management, organizational training, and armament processes, the Air Force had to conduct combat flights alongside the Army and Navy to suppress the insurgencies.

To date, the Air Force has not only participated in various combat operations to repel foreign invasions and suppress domestic insurgencies but has also been involved in drug eradication operations. The Air Force servicemen, with great sacrifice of life, blood, and sweat, bravely and resolutely engaged in combat, contributing significantly to determining the outcome of battles.

From its inception to the present day, the achievements and successes are due to the bravery, selfless dedication, and sense of duty of all officers and soldiers who have served through successive eras. He praised them and urged Air Force servicemen to uphold the noble traditions of the Air Force, pass them on, and strive to fulfill their respective professional duties and responsibilities to the best of their ability.

He also expressed his wishes that from today's 78th Anniversary of the Air Force, the Air Force may continue to stand as a highly capable and reliable force for the state for many anniversaries to come. Following that, Commander-in-Chief (Air) General Tun Aung respectfully presented a commemorative gift for the 78th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Air Force to the SSPC Chairman, Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.

Afterwards, formation flight salutes and capability demonstrations by aircraft and helicopters were conducted. Subsequently, MiG-29 multi-role fighter jets and the fourth-generation-plus large multi-role fighter aircraft, the Su-30 SME fighter jets, performed high-performance maneuver demonstrations and saluted the SSPC Chairman, Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services.

Following that, the symbolic act of liberating living beings (releasing birds) was performed. The SSPC Chairman, Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services and his entourage released birds as a commemorative act for the 78th Anniversary of the Air Force and took a group commemorative photo. Then, the SSPC Chairman, Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services, then addressed and greeted the pilots who participated in the formation flight demonstration and presented them with cash awards of honor.