CREST

The Squadron crest is flying against a blue background. This crest was approved by the then President of India, his Excellency Dr. Rajendra Prasad on 23 Feb 60. The crest is indicative of the qualities this squadron, as a strike force, possesses i.e. accuracy and lethal fire power. The Squadron motto is "DURAR SHARLAKSHYA". "DURARAKSHA" means the ability to defend deep, "SHARLAKSHYA", the accuracy and commitment as that of a true arrow.

1965 Operations

During the 1965 operations both Air Defence and Ground Attack missions were undertaken from Halwara. The Squadron personnel won two Vir Chakras and five Mention-in- Despatches. Two pilots and five aircraft were lost during this period. The Squadron flew reconnaissance, Opportunity and Close Air Support missions in the Gujranwala sector, in the Sialkot-Lahore-Ferozpur axis and in the Khemkaran Kasur Sector, contributing to the famous grave yard of 300 Patton tanks destroyed .

Happenings between 1965-1971

In April 1967, all existing Hunter 56 aircraft of the Squadron were replaced by Hunter 56A and Deep Penetration Strike became the primary role. In addition, the Squadron was tasked with the Fighter Reconnaissance role. it moved to Pathankot in July 1971 and operated from there during the 1971 war.

1971 Operations

During the 1971 operations, close Air Support missions were undertaken in Poonch sector and Combat Air Patrol missions were carried out over Army concentration areas. On 07 December 1971 extensive Close Air Support mission were carried out in the Chhamb-Akhnoor sector. On 10 December 1971, Squadron Leader MK Jain was killed in action. He was later awarded the Vir Charkra posthumously. The Squadron carried out Counter Air Operations against Sakesar, Murid & Mianwali air fields. For their gallantry during the 1971 operations, Squadron personnel were awarded five Vir Chakras, one Vishisht Seva Medal and mention-in- Despatches.

VAMPIRES

Vampire aircraft were the first ones to continue with the Sqn from 1957 to Sep 1958. They however saw more of the Sqn surroundings and personnel as the previous 1 Sqn, AF was numbered as 27 Sqn, AF from 15 Feb 57.

HUNTERS

A LEGEND OF GLORY

The Sqn had the first taste of war when it was tasked to participate in Operation Vijay for liberation of Goa in Dec 1961. It discharged its duty with professional efficiency and dedication.

During the 1965 Indo-Pak war, the Sqn was located at Halwara under HQ WAC, IAF. One out of the many successful operations is described below. The Sqn carried out a number of Counter Air Missions over Pak.On 07 Sep 65 at 0615 hrs five aircrafts got airborne on a raid on Chhota Sargodha during which they carried out successful RP attack over the airfield. While returning, then Flt Lt DN Rathore destroyed two Sabres aircraft parked on ORP at Chak Jhumra airfield and also a factory nearby. With this dare devil attitude Sqn won two Vr Cs and five mention in despatches. The Sqn has lived upto its reputation since then.

In recognition of its exceptional service rendered to the nation both during war and peace the Sqn was awarded President Colour on 13 Nov 1996.

During its entire existence, the Sqn has won numerous trophies and has acquired itself very well in all shapes of activity.

LOCATION / MOVEMENT OF SQN

Location	Aircraft
Adampur	Vampire
Ambala	Hunter MK 56
Halwara	Hunter MK 56 &  replaced with Hunter MK 56A in Apr 67

List of Ex Members who received Presidential Awards

Rank    Name & Initials	Awards
Flt Lt     W/C Rtd    VK Neb	Vr C
Fg Offr (10576)     KM Malkani	Vr C
Fg Offr  W/C Rtd   JS Ghelawat	Vr C
Fg Offr  W/C Rtd   GD bamboat	VM
Flt Lt (9015)           GS Rai	Vr C
WO                         Joshi GN	VSM
WO                         Darbara Singh	VSM
Sqn Ldr                  MK Jain	Vr C (Post)

HONOURS AND AWARDS

Sqn Ldr  DS Jog	Commendation by CAS
Flt Lt       DN Rathore	Vr C
Flt Lt       VK Neb	Vr C
Wg Cdr  GD Clark	Vr C Mention-in-Despatch
Sqn Ldr  DS Jog	Mention-in-Despatch
Sqn Ldr  AW Lele	Mention-in-Despatch
Flt Lt       SK Gulati	Mention-in-Despatch
Flt Lt       PS Parihar	Mention-in-Despatch
WO         Joshi GN	VSM
Cpl          Patel BM	Commendation by AOC-in-C
LAC        Ramaswamy P	Commendation by AOC-in-C
Flt Sgt     Godfreys	Commendation by AOC-in-C
Flt Sgt     Bishan Singh	Commendation by AOC-in-C
Flt Sgt     Ramakrishnan	Commendation by AOC-in-C
Flt Sgt     Thakur RC	Commendation by AOC-in-C
Sqn Ldr   RS Rana	Commendation by AOC-in-C
WO          Darbara Singh	Commendation by AOC-in-C
Wg Cdr   MN Singh	VM
Fg Offr     KM Malkani	Vr C
Fg Offr    JS Ghelawat	Vr C
Fg Offr     GD Bamboat	VM
WO          Darbara Singh	Vr C
Flt Lt        VN Bansal	Mention-in-Despatch
Fg Offr     AD Joshi	Mention-in-Despatch
Fg Offr     RL Hastu	Mention-in-Despatch
Sgt           Vijayan	Commendation by AOC-in-C
Fg Offr     SC Dingra	Commendation by AOC-in-C
Sgt           Choudhary	Commendation by AOC-in-C
Sgt           Royal	Commendation by AOC-in-C
NC(E)     Gurnam Singh	Commendation by AOC-in-C
Sqn Ldr  MK Jain	Vr C (posthumous)
Flt Lt       GS Rai	Vr C
Fg Offr    S Tyagi	Vr C
Fg Offr    GD Bamboat	Commendation by CAS
Cpl          Ashok Kumar	Commendation by AOC-in-C
Cpl          George MT	Commendation by AOC-in-C
Fg Offr    DV Singh	Commendation by CAS
Sgt          Bhaskaranar	Commendation by AOC-in-C
NC (E)    Santlal	Commendation by AOC-in-C
JWO       Banerjee	Commendation by CAS
SSF       Shukla	Commendation by AOC-in-C
Plt Offr    Inder Singh	Commendation by AOC-in-C
Civilian   Murali	Commendation by AOC-in-C
Sqn Ldr  RM Maindarkar	Commendation by AOC-in-C
Sgt          Vijayan	Commendation by AOC-in-C
Sgt          Swamy	Commendation by AOC-in-C
Cpl          Dongre	Commendation by AOC-in-C
Sqn Ldr  Mk Srivastava	Commendation by CAS
JWO       H Dey	Commendation by CAS
MWO      DK Dhar	Commendation by CAS
WO         RBS Mani	Commendation by AOC-in-C
Sqn Ldr  RK Sharma	Commendation by CAS
JWO       JN Verma	Commendation by AOC-in-C
Sgt         Thapa	Commendation by AOC-in-C
Sgt         Singh BC	Commendation by CAS
Fg Offr   C Subramanian	Commendation by CAS
Sgt          Nair KS	Commendation by CAS
Civilian   Harbans	Commendation by CAS
NC (E)   Thambi	Commendation by CAS
Sqn Ldr  G Kumar	Commendation by CAS
JWO       NS Fouzder	Commendation by CAS
Sqn Ldr  S Bose	Commendation by AOC-in-C
Wg Cdr  RH Karvea	Commendation by AOC-in-C
Wg Cdr  RG Burli	Commendation by CAS
Flt Lt       Pawan Kumar	Commendation by CAS
Fg Offr    P Arya	Commendation by CAS