Chandigarh, Sept. 26 -- As the Indian Air Force retires its iconic MiG-21 aircraft on Friday veteran pilots reminisced about the legend that trained generations and defended the nation.

Ahead of the decommissioning of the MiG-21 fighter aircraft fleet in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Group Captain Malik (Retd.) said that bidding farewell to the aircraft was an emotional moment since it had been a part of his life.

Speaking to ANI, Malik said that in the three versions of the MIG-21s that he had flown, there was nothing better than the country's first supersonic fighter and interceptor aircraft,.

"I have flown all three versions of MiG-21s for almost 24 years... It was my life, and now it is going to be a part of my li...