IAF Band to hold special Independence Day performance at National War Memorial today
New Delhi: To mark Independence Day, the Indian Air Force (IAF) Band will present a special musical performance at the Public Plaza, Param Yodha Sthal, National War Memorial in Delhi on Sunday evening.
The one-hour performance, scheduled from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., will celebrate the spirit of patriotism and national pride through a blend of soulful and stirring musical compositions. The event will also commemorate 150 years of the National Song ‘Vande Mataram’, providing an opportunity for the public to come together to celebrate the country’s rich national heritage, the official said.
A team of 40 musicians, comprising 32 Airmen and eight Agniveervayu, including three women, will perform at the venue, he said.
The musicians are set to take the stage for an unforgettable performance. With a repertoire of patriotic and soulful numbers, the IAF Band is set to raise the patriotic spirit with an energetic performance, said an official statement.
The principal conductor of the event will be Master Warrant Officer A Srihari. He will be assisted by Junior Warrant Officer Moon Deka, Junior Warrant Officer Abhishek Paul, and Sergeant NT Singh, it said.
In a separate development, Indian Air Force (IAF) pilots completed participation in Exercise Pitch Black 2026 on Friday, acquiring valuable experience in joint operations.
In a message on X, the IAF said on Saturday, “Mission accomplished. Skies mastered. Partnerships strengthened. #ExPitchBlack26 concluded with intense multinational air operations as the #IndianAirForce operated side-by-side with partner Air Forces — elevating interoperability, exchanging hard-earned expertise, and refining combat readiness under realistic conditions. Every mission and interaction delivered mutual gains in tactics, procedures, and professional excellence.”
Exercise Pitch Black 2026 was a major multinational air combat exercise hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) in Australia’s Northern Territory and Queensland. Running from July 20 to August 7, 2026, the biennial event brought together 21 nations, 100 aircraft and 2,500 personnel for high-end operational training and tactical integration.