State Security and Peace Commission Chairman and Defence Services Commander-in-Chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing attended the ceremony to mark the 78th Anniversary of Tatmadaw (Air) of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar at the Nay Pyi Taw Airbase yesterday morning.

In his speech, the Senior General stated that, prior to Myanmar gaining independence, the Tatmadaw (Air) was formally established with the enactment of the Air Force Act on 15 December 1947. As of today, this marks the 78th anniversary of its founding.

Up to the present day, he recounted that Tatmadaw (Air) has actively participated not only in operations to drive out external invasion and conduct internal counterinsurgency missions but also launch anti-narcotics campaigns. The dedication, courage, and sacrifices of Air Force personnel in these operations have greatly contributed to achieving successful outcomes.

He noted that in strengthening a nation’s sovereignty, promoting national development, protecting the lives and property of the people, and safeguarding national interests, it is essential to possess a strong and resilient defence capability.

He retold that Tatmadaw emerged alongside independence as a Patriotic People’s Tatmadaw, representing the unity of all ethnic groups as the Union Tatmadaw.

Throughout successive eras, it has confronted various domestic and external threats to the nation, working hand in hand with the people and sacrificing much blood and lives and effort to protect and defend the country. Whenever the nation faced crises, Tatmadaw stood firmly to protect the people.

The Senior General underlined that it is particularly necessary to build and maintain a strong, resilient, and highly capable defence force, comprising the Army, Navy, and Air, so that it can fully confront and respond to the ever-evolving threats and challenges. He pointed out that lessons learned from experiences over successive eras have been applied to gradually develop Tatmadaw (Air) into a modern, highly capable, and resilient air power.

The Senior General stressed that it is necessary to build Tatmadaw (Air) so that both its combat strength and operational capability are fully developed and effectively utilized. To enhance combat capability, the State has been consistently providing helicopters and operational support systems as needed.

He remarked that the effectiveness and high capability of an Air Force depend on all personnel serving in their respective fields. It is not enough for pilots alone to be highly skilled; aircrew, flight engineers, and aviation support staff must also master their duties. Moreover, success in aviation operations requires that everyone work together in a coordinated and unified manner.

In both the technical and administrative sectors, the Senior General noted that work must be carried out in coordination within each department, and success in Tatmadaw (Air)’s overall missions requires collaboration between different sectors. Therefore, it is emphasized that unity within the force be strengthened, and that personnel work together under correct leadership and coordinated guidance at every level.

The Senior General appreciated that the achievements and successes the Air Force has attained from its founding to the present are the result of the courage, selfless sacrifice, and dedicated sense of duty of all officers and other ranks who have served through successive generations.

He encouraged Tatmadaw (Air) personnel to preserve and uphold Tatmadaw (Air)’s noble traditions, and to diligently and responsibly carry out their duties and objectives to the best of their abilities within their respective areas of expertise.

Commander-in-Chief (Air) General Tun Aung presented a gift to mark the 78th Anniversary of Tatmadaw (Air) Day to the Senior General.

Next, the skill demonstrations of helicopters and aircraft of Tatmadaw (Air) were presented with saluting the Senior General. In this regard, four Mi-17 helicopters demonstrated the Arrow Head Formation, two Bell-206 helicopters, two H-125 helicopters and two H-120 helicopters in the Composite Formation, one MTX-1B reconnaissance aircraft and three Grob-120 TPs in the Composite Formation, five K-8 jet fighters in the Kite Formation, four F-7 fighters in the Box Formation, five MiG-29 jet fighters in the Arrow Formation, and two Su-30 SME jet fighters and two FTC-2000G fighters in the Composite Formation.
Afterwards, MiG-29 jet fighters and Su-30 SME jet fighters were deployed in the high-performance manoeuvres.

Military aircraft in squadrons saluted the Senior General in the skill demonstration. A Su-30 SME jet fighter performed the Point Roll Manoeuvre, High-G Turn Manoeuvre, Derry Turn Manoeuvre, Oblique Loop Manoeuvre, Combat Turn Manoeuvre, Flap Spin Manoeuvre and Slow Flight Manoeuvre by firing the flares as saluting the Senior General.

The Senior General and the party released birds to mark the 78th Anniversary of Tatmadaw (Air) Day. The Senior General presented cash awards to the pilots who participated in the skill demonstrations.

Also, present at the ceremony were Daw Kyu Kyu Hla, wife of the Senior General, Commission member Prime Minister U Nyo Saw and his wife, Commission Secretary General Ye Win Oo and his wife, Commision member Chief of the General Staff (Army, Navy and Air) General Kyaw Swa Lin and his wife, retired commanders-in-chief (Air) and their wives, Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Admiral Htein Win and his wife, Commander-in-Chief (Air) General Tun Aung and his wife, Union-level dignitaries and their wives, senior Tatmadaw officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief and their wives, the commander of Nay Pyi Taw Command, airbase commanders, and guests.

MNA/TTA

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