| No. 116 Helicopter Unit | |
|---|---|
| Active | 27 July 1967 - Present |
| Country |  Republic of India |
| Branch |  Indian Air Force |
| Garrison/HQ | Jodhpur AFS |
| Nickname(s) | "Tankbusters" |
| Motto(s) | Apatsu Mitram A friend in time of need |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Attack | HAL Rudra |
No. 116 Helicopter Unit (Tankbusters) is a Helicopter Unit that is equipped with HAL Rudra (the military version of HAL Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter) and the HAL Chetak, and based at Jodhpur Air Force Station. [1]
The 116 Helicopter unit was raised on 27 July 1967 at Sarsawa, and was active with Mil Mi-4 helicopters from 1 August 1967 when it was named "Whirly Wizards". In Dec 1973, the unit was re-equipped with Aérospatiale Alouette III helicopters and was renamed as "Skylarks". It was these that were decorated as "flying elephants" during Republic Day parades. [2] Later, as the first helicopter unit of the IAF to be equipped with AS 11 B1 Anti-tank guided missiles (ATGM), it was renamed to the current Tankbusters name. It was also the first unit to operate the HAL Rudra which it was allocated in 2013. [3]
The air combatants of this unit have undertaken numerous sorties for executing relief and rescue operations in various parts of the country, including being deployed to Sri Lanka as part of Operation Pawan in 1988. [3] The unit has been awarded a Shaurya Chakra, two Vayu Sena Medals, one mention-in-Dispatches and numerous other commendations, [3] including the President's Colour Award on 5 March 2015, [4] and the Chief of Air Staff’s citation, which was awarded on the 89th Air Force Day celebrations on 8 October 2021. [5]
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is the air arm of the Indian Armed Forces. Its primary mission is to secure Indian airspace and to conduct aerial warfare during armed conflicts. It was officially established on 8 October 1932 as an auxiliary air force of the British Empire which honoured India's aviation service during World War II with the prefix Royal. After India gained independence from United Kingdom in 1947, the name Royal Indian Air Force was kept and served in the name of the Dominion of India. With the transition to a republic in 1950, the prefix Royal was removed.
The Indian Naval Air Arm is the aviation branch and a fighting arm of the Indian Navy which is tasked to provide an aircraft carrier-based strike capability, fleet air defence, maritime reconnaissance, and anti-submarine warfare.
The HAL Prachand is an Indian multi-role light attack helicopter designed and manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) under Project LCH. It has been ordered by the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Indian Army.
Jodhpur Airport is a domestic airport and an Indian Air Force base serving the city of Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India. It is operated by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and shares its airside with the Jodhpur Air Force Station of the Indian Air Force.
No. 6 Squadron (Dragons) is a fighter squadron and is equipped with Jaguar IM/IS and based at Jamnagar Air Force Station.
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The Western Air Command (WAC) is the regional command of Indian Air Force headquartered in New Delhi. It is the largest and most important Air Command of the IAF, comprising sixteen Air Force Bases (AFBs), and is responsible for aerial defence of North India.
The Army Aviation Corps (AAC) is the youngest arm of the Indian Army, being formally designated on 1 November 1986. The Army Aviation Corps units are designated as Squadrons. Each squadron generally consists of two Flights. Reconnaissance (Recce) and Observation flights might be part of squadrons or operate independently. The latter do not have a parent squadron and are designated by an (I) in their name.
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The HAL Rudra also known as ALH-WSI, is an armed version of the HAL Dhruv utility helicopter which is designed and produced by the Indian aerospace manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
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No. 114 Helicopter Unit is a Helicopter Unit and is equipped with HAL Cheetah and based at Leh Air Force Station, for operations on the Siachen Glacier.
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