| No. 27 Squadron | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Active | 15 February 1957 - Present |
| Country |  Republic of India |
| Branch |  Indian Air Force |
| Role | Fighter |
| Part of | Central Air Command (India) |
| Garrison/HQ | Gorakhpur AFS |
| Nickname(s) | "Flaming Arrows" |
| Motto(s) | Durarakshya Saralakshya Strike far, Strike Sure |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Attack | SEPECAT Jaguar IS |
No. 27 Squadron (Flaming Arrows) IAF is a Ground-Attack and Close Air Support squadron of the Indian Air Force, operating from Gorakhpur AFS, under Central Air Command. [1]
The squadron was raised at Adampur AFS on 15 February 1957, with de Havilland Vampires, as a Ground-Attack and Close Air Support unit. [2] The Vampires were replaced by September, the next year, with Hunter Mk.56 aircraft, when it was moved to Ambala AFS. [3]
It had its first taste of war during the 1961 war in Goa, tasked to participate in Operation Vijay, strafing various ground targets and airfields. [4]
During the 1965 Indo-Pakistan War, the squadron operated from Halwara under the Western Air Command, carrying out Air Defence and Ground Attack missions over Punjab. [3] [4]
On 7 September, at 0615 hours, five aircraft of the squadron participated in an attack on Chota Sargodha Air Base, in Pakistan. Then Flight Lt. D.N. Rathore destroyed at least two PAF F-86 Sabres parked in the airbase. [3] The squadron flew Reconnaissance, Opportunity, and CAS missions in the Gujranwala sector, in the Sialkot-Lahore-Ferozpur axis and in the Khemkaran-Kasur Sector, destroying several enemy tanks and contributing to the "Graveyards of Pattons there". These actions were at a high cost though, the squadron lost five aircraft and two pilots. It earned 2 Vir Chakras, and 5 Mention-in-Despatches. [3] [4]
In April 1965, at Halwara, all the Hunter Mk. 56 aircraft were replaced with Hunter Mk. 56A, and its role changed to Deep Penetration Strike and Fighter Recon. In July 1971, the squadron was relocated to Pathankot. [3] [4]
In December, during the 1971 War with Pakistan, the squadron carried out a number of sorties over Poonch Sector, providing CAS to ground units. In addition, the squadron flew Combat Air Patrols over army concentration areas, to intercept any Pakistani aircraft. On 7 December, the squadron shifted its missions, providing CAS in the Chhamb–Akhnoor Sector. [3] [4]
In January 1985, the squadron was re-equipped with Jaguar IS aircraft. [2] The squadron won several trophies in various exercises and gunnery meets, and participated in various operations. On 13 November 1996, it was awarded President Colour for its contributions both in war and peace. [3] [4]
Aircraft types operated by the squadron [5]
| Aircraft Type | From | To | Air Base |
|---|---|---|---|
| de Havilland Vampire FB52 | 15 February 1957 | September 1958 | AFS Adampur |
| Hawker Hunter MK 56 | November 1958 | January 1985 | |
| SEPECAT Jaguar IS | February 1985 | Present | AFS Gorakhpur |
No. 35 Squadron IAF (Rapiers) was an electronic warfare and air superiority squadron of the Indian Air Force (IAF). It was based at Bakshi Ka Talab Airforce Station, No. 35 Squadron came under the Central Air Command; and along with No. 108 Squadron formed an operational wing of the IAF. As of 2017, it was equipped with MiG-21M aircraft. The squadron was number plated in 2019.
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No. 7 Squadron, Indian Air Force operates as a Special Munitions Delivery and air superiority unit. Based at Gwalior AFB, No.7 Squadron forms a part of 40 Wing AF, Central Air Command.
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No.2 Squadron is a unit dedicated to CAS in the Indian Air Force. No. 2 Sqn falls under the Eastern Air Command.
During the Indo-Pakistani war of 1965, the Indian and Pakistani Air Forces engaged in large-scale aerial combat for the first time. In the air war, which took place in September, both air forces conducted thousands of defensive and offensive sorties over Indian and Pakistani airspace. Both India and Pakistan claimed victory in the air war; Pakistan claimed to have destroyed 104 Indian aircraft and lost 19, and India claimed to have destroyed 73 Pakistani aircraft and lost 35 of its own. The air war ended in a stalemate.
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No. 26 Squadron IAF (Warriors) is a Ground Attack and Close Air Support unit of the Indian Air Force, operating from Pathankot Air Force Station under India's Western Air Command. The squadron was number plated on an unspecified date.
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No. 108 Squadron (Hawkeyes) was a fighter squadron of Indian Air Force. The squadron was equipped with MiG-21M and was based at Pathankot Air Force Station. The squadron was number plated in December 2017.
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No. 45 Squadron Indian Air Force is a Fighter Squadron internally based at Sulur AFS, Tamil Nadu. The squadron operates the indigenous HAL Tejas fighter from 1 July 2016. The squadron was initially based at Bangalore, Karnataka and later shifted to its main base in Sulur from 1 June 2018.
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