For the first time, nine women Agniveer will be part of the Indian Air Force's band contingent during the 77th Republic Day Parade.
The IAF also announced on Thursday that Flight Lieutenant Akshita Dhankar will unfurl the national flag alongside President Droupadi Murmu at the ceremonial parade on January 26.
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The IAF band, led by Sergeant Charles Antony Daniel, will complement the 144-member marching contingent of the Air Force, which will be led by Squadron Leader Jagdesh Kumar.
Squadron Leader Nikita Choudhary, Flight Lieutenant Prakhar Chandrakar, and Flight Lieutenant Dinesh Murali will be serving as supernumerary officers in the IAF contingent.
A total of 29 aircraft—16 fighter aircraft, four transport aircraft and nine helicopters—will be part of the two-phase flypast at the parade, with a total of eight formations.
The official said the first phase will be alongside the parade with four formations and the remaining four formations after the end of the parade, including a special spearhead formation during the parade to mark "the success of Operation Sindoor" conducted in May last year, officials said, reported news agency PTI.
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Air Commodore Imran H. Zaidi, from the Directorate of Ceremonial at Air Headquarters, said the 75-member IAF band will consist of 66 Agniveer and the rest will be air warriors.
The 66 Agniveer will include nine women Agniveer, and this will be the first time they will be part of the IAF band in the parade, he said.
Squadron Leader Kumar was quoted as saying, "It is my first time in a Republic Day Parade, and I feel extremely proud to represent my Service on the Kartavya Path."
"We arrive at around 4 am for practice, and then put in 7-8 hours to make sure we give our best and all members of the contingent are working in tandem," Squadron Leader Kumar told PTI.
