The Indian Air force is the world’s 4th strongest air force globally in terms of the number of personnel and the number of assets it operates. With its origins in 1932 as the British Indian Air force who after 1947 ended up as the Indian Air force. With three wars and several hundred combat missions under its belt, all the IAF squadrons are highly decorated and dangerous on their own rights. Here we take a look into five of the most storied squadrons of the Indian Air force.
The 28th Squadron– They were the first ‘supersonics’ squadron in India and under Wing Commander Dilbagh Singh who led 7 pilots and engineers to Kazakhstan to train on the avionics and engineering of the MiG 21. With the top speed of Mach 2, at that time; it was the first supersonic fighter/interceptor which was able to deliver a steady performance at high speeds, ushering in the age of modern combat jet plane. IAF Wing Commander M.S.D. ‘Maddy’ Wollen did the first kills during the 1965 war, giving the 28th squadron its hallowed place as the first supersonic squadron in the IAF.
222 ‘Tiger Shark’ Squadron– Based in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu this is the first Sukhoi squadron in South India. They were the first squadron in India armed with the MiG-29. This squadron will also have their Shukhoi’s armed with the Brahmos cruise missile and their strategic location enables them to effectively counter any threat vector from the Indian Ocean Region.
1st ‘Tigers’ Squadron– The oldest squadron in the Indian air force, who were established in 1939 are currently operating the Dassault Mirage 2000, a delta wing light weight fighter aircraft of the 4th generation. This squadron had proudly participated in all the three wars India has faced in all the theaters. Based in the AFB Gwalior they are truly a force to be reckoned with in any combat scenario. This squadron was also the home to Air Marshal Subroto Mukherjee (OBE), who was a pioneer in many ways in helping the Indian Air force to grow.
35th ‘Rapier’ Squadron– They operate as an electronic warfare and air superiority unit of the Indian Air Force (IAF). Based at Bakshi Ka Talab Airforce Station, No. 35 Squadron falls under the Central Air Command; and along with No. 108 Squadron forms an operational wing of the IAF. As of 2017, it is equipped with MiG-21M aircraft.  The war in 1971 provided this young squadron an opportunity to perform to its full potential. During the war, No.35 Sqn’s Canberras flew day and night missions on both fronts. A total of 92 operational sorties amounting to 900 hours were undertaken by the squadron during the conflict. The highlight of war was its bombing of the oil refinery at Karachi – resulting in, according to a recce pilot, “the biggest blaze ever seen over South Asia.” While the squadron lost an aircraft and two pilots (Flt Lt SC Sandal and Flt Lt KS Nanda) over Karachi, the raid earned Wg Cdr KK Badhwar a Vir Chakra. Over the course of the conflict the squadron earned one Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, five Vir Chakras, six Vishisht Seva Medals, one Vayu Sena Medal and three Mention-in-Dispatches.
17th ‘Golden Arrow’ Squadron– This is a squadron of the Indian Air Force stationed at Ambala AFS as part of Western Air Command. The squadron was number-plated in 2016, but was resurrected in Ambala on 11 September 2019 with Dassault Rafales. It was moved from the East to Delhi during the 1965 Indo-Pakistani War to provide air cover for the capital.It was awarded its President’s Standard on 8 November 1988 at Palam. This squadron is the first squadron to get the first Rafales in India.
These are few of the most illustrious squadrons of the Indian Air force who have proudly served the nation with all pride and glory throughout the history of India.
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