No. 37 Squadron IAF

Last updated

No. 37 Squadron
Active23 December 1957 – N/A
Country Flag of India.svg Republic of India
BranchAir Force Ensign of India.svg  Indian Air Force
Role Fighter
Garrison/HQ Jodhpur AFS
Nickname(s)"Black Panthers"
Motto(s)Sadaiv Nirbhik
Fearless Forever
Aircraft flown
Fighter MiG-21 M

No. 37 Squadron (Black Panthers) is a fighter squadron and was equipped with MiG-21 M and based at Jodhpur Air Force Station. [1]

Contents

History

Formed on 23 December 1957 at Palam Air Force Station, No. 37 Squadron was equipped with Vampire NF54 night fighters, inheriting experienced personnel from No. 10 Squadron. The squadron played a pivotal role in the 1961 Annexation of Goa, conducting night reconnaissance missions over Dabolim and Daman. Despite facing challenges, including two fatal accidents in 1958, the squadron continued its operations until transitioning to Hawker Hunter aircraft in December 1962. [2]

During the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, this Squadron was based at Chabua, when hostilities broke out. The Squadron was given the task of launching offensive action in the Eastern Sector and of providing air defence in the Western Sector. [3]

The squadron was number plated on an unspecified date. Currently, only 4 MiG-21 Bison squadron remains in service. [4]

Assignments

Aircraft

AircraftFromToAir Base
Vampire NF54 23 December 1957December 1962 AFS Palam [6]
Hawker Hunter MK 56 December 1962March 1977
MiG-21 M March 1977N/A AFS Jodhpur

References

  1. ↑ "Squadrons and Helicopter Units". Bharat Rakshak. Retrieved 3 December 2015.
  2. ↑ Gupta, Anchit (8 July 2022). "Guardians of the Night Skies: IAF's Vampire NF54 Fleet". IAFHistory. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
  3. ↑ Pike, John. "Squadron 37". GlobalSecurity.org. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  4. ↑ "IAF to get 35 fighter squadrons in next 10 years, but needs 42: Air chief". Deccan Chronicle. 6 October 2021.
  5. ↑ (Retd), Sqn Ldr Ian S Loughran. "Four Sorties over Goa". Bharat-rakshak.com. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  6. ↑ "No. 37 Squadron". Bharat Rakshak.


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