Air Force Band to mark Independence Day in Delhi on Sunday

The Indian Air Force Band will perform at the National War Memorial in Delhi on Sunday evening to mark Independence Day and celebrate 150 years of the national song Vande Mataram. The one-hour event will feature 40 musicians, including Agniveervayu women, led by Master Warrant Officer A Srihari.

New Delhi: To commemorate Independence Day, the Indian Air Force Band will perform at the Public Plaza, Param Yodha Sthal, National War Memorial in Delhi on Sunday evening, an official said.

The one-hour performance from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. promises a spectacular display of musical patriotism aimed at fostering national pride through public engagement while celebrating 150 years of the National Song ‘Vande Mataram’, the official said.

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A team of musicians comprising 32 Airmen and 8 Agniveervayu (including three women) shall be performing at the venue, he said.

The musicians are set to take the stage with a performance that promises to be an unforgettable experience for the audience. 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.