Sachin Tendulkar posted photos from the event that got over 10,000 likes in the first 2 hours.
The Indian Air Force, in a 2-hour-long mega excessive, deployed its fighter jets and attack helicopters in a firepower demonstration on Saturday last at Pokhran close to the border with Pakistan.
At the Vayu Shakti 2019 exercise, seated in between Army chief General Bipin Rawat and Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa BS Dhanoa in the front row of the viewing area was master blaster Sachin Tendulkar.
The star cricketer, dressed in a military green jumpsuit, was seen holding a smartphone trying to capture a bit of the show.
Sachin Tendulkar today posted a photograph of him at the event, and praised the Indian Air Force.
Released in 1992, the film Top Gun made Tom Cruise an internationally-recognised star and is best remembered for a slow motion shot as he walks away from an aircraft.
Soon after attending the event, Sachin had posted a heartfelt message:
"Proud feeling to witness the might of our Air Force. It is an honour to be present among the bravehearts who lay their lives on the line to defend India and protect us from our enemies!," the 45-year-old right-hand batsman had tweeted.
Two years after the legendary cricketer announced his retirement from international cricket, he was conferred with Honorary Group Captain of the Indian Air Force.
Sachin Tendulkar was conferred Honorary Group Captain of the Indian Air Force on October 8 2015.
Sachin Tendulkar is the first sportsperson to have received such an honour by the Indian Air Force, who conferred the award in a grand ceremony at the 83rd Indian Air Force Day celebrations in 2015.
The cricketer had, four years ago, received the award wearing the Air Force uniform and has always stood for the commitment and sacrifices made by the country's armed forces.
In the Vayu Shakti exercise, the IAF showcased firepower capability of indigenously-developed platforms like Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) and efficacy of Akash surface-to-air missile and Astra air-to-air missile.
The event that took place at sundown was for the first time the ALH and the Akash were deployed in a military exercise.
The IAF also deployed the upgraded MiG-29 fighter jet in an air-to-ground role during the exercise. A total of 137 aircraft including Sukhoi-30s, Mirage 2000s, Jaguars, Mig-21 Bison, Mig-27, Mig-29, IL78, Hercules and AN-32 aircraft participated.