108 SQUADRON

The Squadron was formed on 20 Nov 1959 equipped with Vampire Jets.

Nick Name : The Hawkeyes.

Motto : Shodhan Aur Aakraman (Shodan Aur Aakraman).

On 25 Mar 2009 the Squadron was honoured when the President, Smt Pratibha Devi Singh Patil the Hawkeyes with the President's Colours at an impressive ceremony held at Air Force Station.

Battle Honours : 1999.

59 SQUADRON

The Squadron was formed with DHC-3 Otter Aircraft under the Command of Sqn Ldr AB Patil on 14 Feb 1960.

Nick Name : Hornbills.

Motto : Nishta Dhairya Parisramah (Loyalty Boldness and Hard work).

On 12 Nov 2008 Squadron was honoured when the President, Smt Pratibha Devi Singh Patil the Hornbills with the President's Colours at an impressive ceremony held at Air Force Station, Jodhpur. 

49 SQUADRON

The Squadron was established in Barrackpore on 02 Feb 1960.

Nick Name : Paraspears.

Motto : Dhairya Vijayate (Boldness brings Victory).

On 09 Mar 2010 the Squadron was honoured when the President, Smt Pratibha Devi Singh Patil the Paraspears with the President's Colours at an impressive ceremony held at Air Force Station, Jodhpur.

48 SQUADRON

The Squadron was raised in 1959 Srinagar.

Nick Name : Camels.

Motto : Sahase Phalit Sarvatra (Valor brings victory everywhere).

On 15 Feb 2007 the Squadron was honoured when the President, Dr ABJ Abdul Kalam the Camels with the President's Colours at an impressive ceremony held at Air Force Station, Bhuj.

47 SQUADRON

The Squadron was formed on 18 Dec 1959 at Air Force Station Halwara.  The First Squadron Commander was Sqn Ldr DA LA Fontaine, who later rose to become the Chief of the Air Staff.

Nick Name : Black Archers.

Motto : Karmani Vyapurutham Dhanuhu (My Bow is streched for the task).

On 10 Nov 2009 the Squadron was honoured when the President, Smt Pratibha Devi Singh Patil the Black Archer with the President's Colours at an impressive ceremony held at Air Force Station, Gwalior. 

44 SQUADRON

The Squadron was formed on 06 Apr 1961 at Chandigarh equipped with An12s, a four-engine turboprop aircraft led by Wg Cdr TN Ghadiok VrC as its First Commanding Officer.

Nick Name : Mighty Jets.

Motto : Ishtam Yatnen Sadhyet (Achieve Goals with Perseverance).

Best Categorised Transport Squadron : 08 Oct 1983.

Best Transport Screw: 08 Oct 1989.

Battle Honours : 02 Dec 1994.

Best Transport Squadron : 1994 & 1999.

Best Combat Transport Squadrons : 08 Oct 2003.

On 09 Mar 2011 the Squadron was honoured when the President, Smt Pratibha Devi Singh Patil the Mighty Jets with the President's Colours at an impressive ceremony held at Air Force Station, Badogra at the time Commanded by Wing Commander BS Reddy. 

43 SQUADRON

The Squadron was raised on 20 Jan 1958 at Barrackpore in West Bengal with 14 Dakota aircraft.

Nick Name : Ibexes.

                   

Motto : Nabhsa Jeevan Dhara (Life Line from the Sky).

On 10 Mar 1992 the squadron was honoured when the President, R Venkataraman, presented the Ibexes with the President's Colours at an impressive ceremony held at Air Force Station, Kalaikunda.  

41 SQUADRON

The Squadron was raised on 01 March 1958 at  Jodhpur . The First Commanding Officer Sqn Ldr G Nallaya.

Nick Name : Otters.

Motto : Samay Par Sahayta (Help in Time). 

Best overall performances Transport Squadron WAC Trophy – 1991-92, 1992-93, 1994-95, 1996-97.

On 07 Nov 1997 the squadron was honoured when the President, K R Narayanan, presented the Otters with the President's Colours at an impressive ceremony held at Air Force Station, Palam, New Delhi.

37 SQUADRON

The Squadron was formed at Air Force Station Palm on 23 Dec 1957 and was equipped with Vampire night Fighters under the Command of Sqn Ldr Amrit Lal Bajaj.

Nick Name : Black Panthers.

Motto : Sadaiv Nirbhik (Fearless Forever)

On 15 Feb 2007 the Squadron was honoured when the President, Dr ABJ Abdul Kalam the Black Panthers with the President's Colours at an impressive ceremony held at Air Force Station, Bhuj.

Battle Honour : 1971.

35 SQUADRON

The Squadron equipped with Canberra Aircraft, was raised at Pune on 10 Aug 1958.   The First Commanding Officer Wg Cdr Madhav Bhawrao Naik.

Nick Name : Rapier.

Motto : Drutapraharanayudh.

On 24 Oct 2000 the squadron was honoured when the President, K R Narayanan, presented the Rapier with the President's Colours at an impressive ceremony. 

31 SQUADRON

The Squadron was formed on 01 Sep 1963 at Pathankot equipped with French Mystere Aircraft.

Nick Name : Lions.

Motto : Shatru Chhidrey Prahret (A kill with every blow).

Battle Honour : Three’s 1965 & 1971.

On 08 Jan 2011 the squadron was honoured when the President, Smt  Pratibha Devi Singh Patil, presented the Lions with the President's Colours at an impressive ceremony held at Air Force Station, Lohegaon. 

29 SQUADRON

The Squadron was formed on 10 March 1958 at  Air Force Station Halwara under the command of Sqn Ldr Sukhjinder Singh.

Nick Name : Scropios.

Motto : Sadaiv Sachet (Ever Alert). 

Best Fighter Squadron : 1977, 1978 and 1982.

Best Squadron : 1984.

Best Combat Squadron : 1989 and 1992.

28 SQUADRON

The cool misty dawn on 02 Mar 1963 witnessed history being created at Chandigarh with the Indian Air Force ushering in the Supersonic Era by inducting the MIG 21 on her fleet.  The first Commanding Officer Wg Cdr Dilbagh Singh.

Nick Name : First Supersonics.

Motto : Sanharancha Karothi Ya (Determined to Destroy).

On 02 Apr 1991 the Helicopter Unit was honoured  the President, R Venkatraman The First Supersonics with the President's Colours at an impressive ceremony held at Air Force Station, Pune.

Battle Honours : 1971.

27 SQUADRON

The Squadron was formed on 15 Feb 1957 at Adampur and equipped with Vampire Air Craft.

The first Commanding Officer Sqn Ldr George Douglas Clarke VrC.

Nick Name : The Flaming Arrows.

Motto :  Durar Sharlakshya (Strike far, Strike Sure).

On 13 Nov 1996 the Helicopter Unit was honoured when the President,  Dr Shankar Dayal Sharma the Flaming Arrows with the President's Colours at an impressive ceremony held at Air Force Station, Gorakhpur.

24 SQUADRON

The Squadron was raised on 16 Feb 1962 at Air Force Station Chabua, Assam.

Nick Name : Hawks.

Motto : Navijitya Nivartanam (No Return without Conquest).

On 06 Mar 2012 the Squadron was honoured when the President, Smt  Pratibha Devi Singh Patil the Hawks with the President's Colours at an impressive ceremony held at Air Force Station, Bareilly.

20 SQUADRON

The Squadron was raised on 01 Jan 1956 under the Command of Sqn Ldr KM Ram.

Nick Name : The Lightnings.

 Motto : Vegvan Kutobhayah (Fast and Furious).

On 10 Mar 1992 the squadron was honoured when the President, R Venkataraman, presented the Lightnings with the President's Colours at an impressive ceremony held at Air Force Station, Kalaikunda. 

Battle Honour :  Two’s 1971.

16 SQUADRON

The Squadron was raised on 15th Sep 1954 at Pune.

Nick Name : Black Cobras.

Motto : Praharodata (Ready to Strike)

On 13 Nov 1976 the squadron was honoured when the President, Mr Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed, presented the Black Cobras with the President's Colours at an impressive ceremony.

Battle Honour : 1965.

15 SQUADRON

The Squadron was raised on 20th Aug 1951 at Ambala under the Command of Sqn Ldr EJ Dhatigara.

Nick Name : Flying Lancers.

Motto : Nihantavya Shatravaha (Annihilation of the enemy).

On 26 Oct 1995 the squadron was honoured when the President, Dr Shankar Dayal Sharma, presented the Flying Lancers with the President's Colours at an impressive ceremony held at Air Force Station, Jodhpur.

14 SQUADRON

The Squadron was raised on 15th Aug 1951 at Ambala.

Nick Name : Bulls.

Motto : Balam Jayaya (Strenth Leads to Victory).

Affiliation The Garhwal Rifles 2005.

On 11 Nov 1994 the squadron was honoured when the President, Dr Shankar Dayal Sharma, presented the Bulls with the President's Colours at an impressive ceremony held at Air Force Station, Ambala.  The Colours were received under the Command of Wing Commander Abhay Gupta.

9 SQUADRON

The Squadron was raised on the 14^th Apr 1943 under the command of Squadron Leader AW Rider, at Risalpur

Nick Name : Wolfpack.

Motto : Sahase Vasati Jayashri (In courage resides victory).

On 11^th Dec 1984 the squadron was honoured when the President, Giani Zail Singh, presented the wolfpack with the President's Colours at an impressive ceremony held at Air Force Station, Palam, New Delhi.