Where Air Warriors are groomed

The Air Force Administrative College pre-dates Independence and now visitors can learn a little more of its history from its recently set up museum

October 06, 2017 04:39 pm | Updated 04:39 pm IST

COIMBATORE, TAMIL NADU 04/10/2017. (for MetroPlus) A view of Air Force museum at Air Force Administrative College (AFAC) in Coimbatore on October 04, 2017.
Photo: M. Periasamy

COIMBATORE, TAMIL NADU 04/10/2017. (for MetroPlus) A view of Air Force museum at Air Force Administrative College (AFAC) in Coimbatore on October 04, 2017. Photo: M. Periasamy

The Indian Air Force has been in the news these last few months, more than its usual annual appearance on news channels and newspapers on Air Force Day that falls on October 8. First, it was the movie, The Great Indian Escape based on the true story of three IAF officers breaking out of a POW Camp in Rawalpindi in Pakistan in 1972. The news of the movie screenings across a few Air Force Stations generated more exciting accounts of other deeds of heroism and adventure on Air Force Whatsapp groups, Facebook and in the AF veteran community. More recently, women pilots were inducted into the fighter stream for the first time in IAF’s history. Then, another hero, the Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh, died. I had the privilege of meeting the then retired Air Chief Marshal Arjan Singh in Palam. I have also met many, many other living heroes of the IAF for whom putting their life on line was all in a day’s work.

COIMBATORE, TAMIL NADU 04/10/2017. (for MetroPlus) A view of Air Force museum at Air Force Administrative College (AFAC) in Coimbatore on October 04, 2017.
Photo: M. Periasamy

COIMBATORE, TAMIL NADU 04/10/2017. (for MetroPlus) A view of Air Force museum at Air Force Administrative College (AFAC) in Coimbatore on October 04, 2017. Photo: M. Periasamy

Daring rescues, great adventures, funny incidents and amazing facts are all common in the Armed Forces. Almost every day there is history being made and most of us are in complete ignorance of it. Which is really sad. Somehow recording history, documenting and sharing information and anecdotes, milestones and achievements of the military with the public is rare.

Why can’t we curate oral histories of war veterans? There are so many stories out there that are not documented.These accounts must be recorded for posterity as they are as important and sometimes more insightful than those that make it to the official archives. How wonderful it would be if someone made a concerted effort to do this before the stories are lost forever.

The Air Force Administrative College (AFAC) recently took a step in that direction to set up a small but significant museum in its premises with photographs, documents, books and mementos that celebrate its pivotal role in the Indian Air Force. The AFAC predates Independence (it moved to Coimbatore in 1946 from Pune) and obviously has a lot of history associated with it. We learn that the Air Force School came into being in 1952. The 6 Air Force Hospital was established in 1960, and we get an idea of what Siruvani and Top Slip looked like from old sepia photographs showing officers trekking there (1961)!

COIMBATORE, TAMIL NADU 04/10/2017. (for MetroPlus) A view of Air Force museum at Air Force Administrative College (AFAC) in Coimbatore on October 04, 2017.
Photo: M. Periasamy

COIMBATORE, TAMIL NADU 04/10/2017. (for MetroPlus) A view of Air Force museum at Air Force Administrative College (AFAC) in Coimbatore on October 04, 2017. Photo: M. Periasamy

As he points to the group photographs lining the walls of the museum, AFAC’s Commandant, Air Commodore VPS Rana VSM, says, “Almost all officers of the IAF have passed through the portals of this institution.” I peer into some of them and spot familiar Air Force faces, including my husband’s! Many of those indistinct people in the group photographs have gone on to become Air Chiefs.

“It is the only Air Force Institution to be awarded Grade A by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council,” says Rana with pride. AFAC was also awarded the President’s Colours in 2000. (It is a mark of recognition of the institution’s excellence in the IAF). A replica of that hangs in the Museum.

COIMBATORE, TAMIL NADU 04/10/2017. (for MetroPlus) A view of Air Force museum at Air Force Administrative College (AFAC) in Coimbatore on October 04, 2017.
Photo: M. Periasamy

COIMBATORE, TAMIL NADU 04/10/2017. (for MetroPlus) A view of Air Force museum at Air Force Administrative College (AFAC) in Coimbatore on October 04, 2017. Photo: M. Periasamy

History buffs may enjoy going through the old visitors’ Books (there are 10 of them!). Jawaharlal Nehru has signed in one (May 31, 1948), as has Marshal of the Indian Air Force when he came here on his farewell visit before he retired as Chief on June 6, 1969. (He made several visits to AFAC before). So many other Air Chiefs and prominent citizens such as Sundarlal Bahuguna (of Chipko movement) have recorded their visit here with their signatures. Former President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam was here too.

There are signatures in Chinese in the Visitors’ Book and some digging into the archives reveals that Marshal Yeh ChienYing with a military goodwill delegation visited here on February 20, 1958 (just a few years before the Indo-China conflict). Turning the pages of the yellowing visitors’ books one spots the signatures of Bollywood glitterati Dilip Kumar and Pran who were in the city to shoot for the film Azad in 1954 at the Pakshiraja Film Studio just around the corner!

“It is a work in progress,” says Rana. He and his team reached out to Air Force Veterans, requesting them to send the museum any memorabilia and mementos and photographs they had of their time spent here. “We have also asked them to accompany their photographs or mementos with a little write up – a memory, an anecdote, some unusual observations… .We have managed to find pictures of almost all the courses that have passed through. Some are missing and the hunt is on for them. We have to continue to build on this,” he says.

Rana is keen more young people visit the museum. The AFAC Museum will be open to civilians and students. “We want to encourage students from schools and colleges to visit the museum,” he says.

COIMBATORE, TAMIL NADU 04/10/2017. (for MetroPlus) A view of Air Force museum at Air Force Administrative College (AFAC) in Coimbatore on October 04, 2017.
Photo: M. Periasamy

COIMBATORE, TAMIL NADU 04/10/2017. (for MetroPlus) A view of Air Force museum at Air Force Administrative College (AFAC) in Coimbatore on October 04, 2017. Photo: M. Periasamy

One section of the museum is designed in such a way that those not associated with the armed forces can learn a bit more about the IAF. While two mannequins stand tall wearing the old khaki uniform of the IAF, a display explains various ranks and there is information on how to join the Indian Air Force as an officer or in the other ranks. Visitors will be shown a film on the Indian Air Force, its air craft and its multifarious roles in the defence of the country and its people.

Civilian speak

Dr. P.V.Veeraraghavan, a Fullbright Scholar from Harvard, a military history buff and someone who has been closely associated with AFAC since 1962 (he addresses Air Force officers on Group Dynamics and Human Resources) says: “There is so much to know and learn. About The Air Force Motto, the major historical milestones, the big battles, aircraft models, a parachute may be, and even just neighbourhood history. Kamaraj Road is rich in military history. I would love an interactive quiz platform, audio visual presentations. It is a pity how little the public knows about the old defence institutions in the city. The AFAC Museum is great as a concept.”

Military History and more

The AFAC Museum is housed in the oldest building in the campus. A board outside says it was constructed in 1943 at a cost of Rs 7, 226. The original jali-panelled walls still stand and the building retains its original look with its Mangalore-tiled roof.

Those who are interested in visiting the AFAC Museum may contact the Senior Education Officer AFAC at 0422-2222611.

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