Indian Air Force’s war-time squadrons to get President colours

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 1

Three squadrons of the Indian Air Force (IAF), which played an important role in the wars with Pakistan in 1965 and 1971, along with the base repair depot of the IAF, will get President’s Standard and Colours from President Droupadi Murmu at the Air Force Station, Hindan, on March 8.

Acknowledgement of excellence

The award is an acknowledgement of the operational excellence, dedication and proven contribution of these units both during peace and war. Air Marshal PM Sinha, aoc-in-c, western air command

Among the squadrons to get the colours is 11 Base Repair Depot that repairs fighter aircraft. It is tasked with overhauling MiG-29 and Su-30 MKI aircraft.

45 Squadron that files the Tejas jets will also get the colours. On August 1, 1965, when Pakistan launched a massive attack in the Chhamb sector, the 45 Squadron was the first IAF unit to launch offensive missions on the first day of the conflict.

221 Squadron that flies the Sukhoi 30 MKI will also get the colours. It was pressed into action in the eastern theatre during the 1965 India-Pakistan War. During the 1971 war, operating in the eastern theatre, the squadron undertook extensive counter air, close air support and photo reconnaissance missions.

The attack over Kurmitola and Tezgaon airbases resulted in destruction of several Pakistan Air Force jets. During Operation Safed Sagar in the Kargil conflict, the opening ariel shots were fired by the 221 Squadron.

The 509 Signal Unit works in Meghalaya. During the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971, the unit emerged as the epicenter of all air defence activities over East Pakistan. A defining moment came with the precision strike on the Governor’s House in Dhaka, orchestrated from the operations room of the unit.

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