No. 104 Helicopter Squadron | |
---|---|
Active | 10 March 1954- Present |
Country | Republic of India |
Branch | Indian Air Force |
Garrison/HQ | Suratgarh AFS |
Nickname(s) | "Pioneer Rotarians" |
Motto(s) | Apatsu Mitram A friend in time of need |
Aircraft flown | |
Attack | Mil Mi-35 |
No. 104 Helicopter Squadron (Pioneer Rotarians) is a fighter squadron and is equipped with Mil Mi-35 and based at Suratgarh Air Force Station. [1]
The acquisition of Sikorsky S-55 in 1954 heralded the creation of the first Helicopter Flight within the IAF, and in 1958 become established as the first dedicated Helicopter Unit, No. 104 Helicopter Squadron. [2]
The IAF S-55s were later phased out in 1966 inducting other helicopter types into service, such as the Mil Mi-35 model in 1990. [3]
Aircraft | From | To | Air Base |
---|---|---|---|
Sikorsky S-55 | 10 March 1954 | March 1965 | Palam AFS [4] |
March 1965 | May 1967 | Hindan AFS | |
May 1967 | N/A | Saharanpur AFS | |
HAL Chetak | N/A | N/A | |
Mil Mi-35 | April 1990 | April 1995 | Bhatinda AFS |
May 1995 | Present | Suratgarh AFS |
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