Air Force chief P V Naik today described that security situation in India’s neighbourhood as alarming.Speaking at the Air show to mark the 78th anniversary of the Indian Air Force, Naik asked the air warriors to be prepared to meet both internal and external challenges. He asserted that operational preparedness is the key to meet the complex and intensive threat with speed of response, flexibility and precision. He said Air Force will turn itself into a potent aerospace power within the next five to seven years. The future induction such as the 126 MMRCA, flight refueling aircraft, AWACS and other platforms will pose technological challenges that need to be met by imbibing new skills. Pointing out that the new communication network, ASNET, had changed the way the Air Force conducts its operations, Air Chief Marshal Naik said the Air Force is moving quickly to become a network centric aerospace power. Earlier, the Indian Air Force Day was celebrated with an elaborate parade and aerobatics display at the air base in Hindon. On display were MIG-21s, MIG-29s, Jaguars, Mirage 2000s, and Sukhoi-30 MkIs and helicopters. The celebration was marked by aerobatics by the Sarang Advanced Light Helicopter team followed by synchronized low level maneuvering by the Surya Kiran Aerobatics Team. The air show was coordinated with precision from five different bases like Ambala, Halwara and Adampur of the New Delhi-based Western Air Command.