"The youngest arm of Indian Army, Corps of Army Air Defence (AAD) celebrated its 23rdraising day today at headquarters Northern Command. AAD was carved out of Indian Filed Artillery on January 10, 1994," a defence spokesman said.
He said that the Army Air Defence in India traces its origins to 1939 in pre-independence India when Anti-aircraft units were raised to counter Japanese air threat.
Post independence, it remained a part of the Regiment of Artillery and later bifurcated as separate arm, he said.
Army commander, Northern Command, Lt DS Hooda exhorted the air defence gunners to strive for excellence on the occasion.
"AAD has been dedicated to keep the country's skies free of enemy intrusions. AAD units have also been active in nation building and disaster management activities," he said.
The glorious history of the Corps is adorned by four Battle Honours, two Ashok Chakras, four Kirti Chakras, 21 Vir Chakras, 9 Shaurya Chakras and 106 Sena Medals, he said.