The Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) celebrated its 52nd founding anniversary on Thursday as “Air Force Day” with various programmes.

The BAF started its journey on this day during the Liberation War in 1971. This journey named "Kilo Flight" started with one Otter aircraft, one Dakota aircraft and one Alouette helicopter provided by the Indian Government at Dimapur of Nagaland in India.

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The unit was comprised of 57 members including Bengali pilots, airmen of technical trades and civil aviators, according to an Inter Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR) media release.

A cultural programme and fireworks were organised in the evening on the occasion.

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Chief of Air Staff of the Bangladesh Air Force Air Chief Marshal Shaikh Abdul Hannan attended the programme.

Documentary on "Kilo Flight", the contribution of Bangabandhu and the Prime Minister in the evolution of the Air Force, the present development of the Air Force and the development activities of BAFWWA were screened at the programme, said the release.

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Freedom fighters, former chiefs of Air Staff, invited senior military and civil officials, retired officers, airmen, MODC(Air), civilians and family members of all BAF personnel in the Dhaka area were present on the occasion, it said.

Members from all spheres of BAF should take lessons from Liberation War and actively take part in the development process of the country as well as BAF, said the Air chief.

Earlier, a flypast of different aircraft was organised by the BAF over Dhaka as part of celebrating its anniversary. Moreover, special doa were offered for the wellbeing of the country and the BAF.

Feasts were arranged at all air bases, units including BANAIR Contingents deployed under the UN Peacekeeping Missions, the press release said.