2 IAF fighter squadrons, 2 static units get President’s Standards & Colours

Highlighting the courage, commitment and sacrifices of the IAF during war and peacetime operations in India and overseas, she underlined the IAF’s contributions in the ongoing space programmes of the country and the Gaganyaan mission. She also congratulated the women personnel of the IAF.

The President was given an aerial salute by three Mi-171V helicopters. Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, Chief of the Air Staff and senior IAF officers were present. The President’s Standards were received by Group Captain M Surendran, Commanding Officer of 45 Squadron and Group Captain Shubhankan, Commanding Officer of 221 Squadron.

The President’s Colours were received by Air Commodore Ashutosh Vaidya, Air Officer Commanding of 11 BRD and Group Captain Vivek Sharma, Commanding Officer of 509 SU.

The No. 45 ‘Flying Daggers’ Squadron of the IAF is its first Light Combat Aircraft Squadron. The No. 221 Squadron ‘Valiants’ had flown a third of IAF’s offensive missions during the 1999 Kargil conflict.

The No.45 Squadron was raised in 1959 and comprised the erstwhile Vampire aircraft. It took part in Operation Vijay during the Goa liberation from Portuguese in 1960 and launched offensive missions in 1965 against Pakistan and destroyed 10 enemy tanks.

The No. 221 Squadron was raised at Barrackpore in 1963 with Vampire aircraft and was later equipped with Sukhoi Su-7 supersonic attack fighter. The squadron was decorated with Battle Honours for exemplary performance during this war.

The decorated squadron has participated in Operation Meghdoot with MiG-23BN aircraft and undertook photo reconnaissance of Pakistani troops and armament delivery at high altitudes. The 509 Signal Unit was set up in March 1965. At present, it is functioning as an Air Defence Direction Centre and was the epicentre of all air defence activities over then East Pakistan during the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971.  The 11 BRD—the IAF’s only fighter aircraft repair depot—was set up in 1974 under Maintenance Command at Ojhar in Nashik.