In Goa, the Indian Air Force (IAF) marked a notable milestone by honouring Wing Commander Cecil Barretto (Retd) on his 104th birthday, recognising a veteran whose life has remained closely linked with the service’s history and values.
According to the report, a team from Airmen Training School (ATS), Belagavi, visited Wing Commander Barretto at his residence in Goa on October 25, 2026. The delegation was accompanied by Air Vice Marshal SJ Nanodkar (Retd), President of the Air Force Association (AFA), Goa Branch.
The veteran officer was felicitated in the presence of his family members. The visit was presented as a personal tribute to his long association with the Indian Air Force and to his service over many decades.
IAF’s message to retired personnel
The Air Force shared the sentiment, “Once an Air Warrior, Always an Air Warrior,” underlining the bond it continues to maintain with its retired personnel. The gesture also reflected the service’s tradition of acknowledging veterans and their contribution to India’s military heritage.
Wing Commander Barretto was born on October 25, 1922, and was commissioned into the Dental Corps in February 1945. His service began during the Second World War, and after Independence he provided dental services to Indian troops deployed in Jammu and Kashmir.
He later served at several Air Force stations. For his distinguished service, he was awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM) on January 26, 1976.
The celebration of his 104th birthday stood as a recognition of both his longevity and his military career, which spans important chapters in India’s defence history.
