<P> Acting Squadron Leader Arjan Singh (IND / 1577), Indian Air Force, No. 1 (I.A. F) Squadron </P> <P> This officer has completed very (sic) many operational missions involving flights over difficult country, often in bad weather . He has displayed outstanding leadership, great skill and courage, qualities which have been reflected in the high morale and efficiency of the squadron which has won much success . </P> <P> Singh almost faced a court - martial in February 1945 when he tried to raise the morale of a trainee pilot (later rumored to be the future Air Chief Marshal Dilbagh Singh) by conducting a low level air pass over a house in Kerala . In his defence, he insisted that such tricks were needed for every cadet to be a fighter pilot . Later that year, he commanded the Indian Air Force Exhibition Flight . As part of the celebrations for Independence Day on 15 August 1947, Singh, by then a wing commander and acting group captain, led the first fly - past of RIAF aircraft over the Red Fort in Delhi . </P> <P> Singh was Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), from 1 August 1964 to 15 July 1969, and was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 1965 . When appointed as Chief of the Air Staff of the Indian Air Force, he was just about 45 . He has been the only Chief of the Air Staff to have headed the Air Force for five years as opposed to the regular tenure of two and a half to three years . </P>

Who fly past on 15 august 1947 on red fort