President honours air squadrons

New Delhi:

IAF’s  Frontline Fighter Squadrons -  220 Squadron and 32 Squadron were on Tuesday presented with President’s Standards in an impressive Ceremonial Parade at Air Force Station Halwara.

The award was presented to the squadrons by President Pranab Mukherjee.

The Standard for 220 Squadron was received by Group Captain Sharad Aneja, Commanding Officer, 220 Squadron and the Standard for 32 Squadron was received by Group Captain GVNK Varma, Commanding Officer,32 Squadron.

The President’s Standard is the highest and most prestigious honour bestowed upon any unit of the Armed Forces in recognition of its invaluable contribution to the security of our Nation both during hostilities and peace.

President’s Standards is a symbol of excellence and has been earned by the Squadrons for their dedication and worthy contributions. It marks and depicts the hard work, valour and sacrifice of all the personnel posted to the Squadrons since their inception and is a befitting recognition to their selfless devotion.

The 220 Sqn has a rich history spanning over five decades. The Squadron was raised at Palam as 51 Auxiliary Air Force (AAF) Squadron and was equipped with Vampire aircraft. The Squadron moved to Pune in Nov 1962. It was at Pune, on 09 January 1963, that 220 Squadron was formed. It was initially called the ‘Fighting Tigers’. The Squadron was later re-equipped with the indigenous HF 24 ‘Marut’ aircraft in April 1969 and re-located to Jodhpur in Dec 1970. The unit effectively and innovatively employed the Marut during the 1971 Indo Pak air campaigns. It was during its stay in Jodhpur that the Squadron was rechristened as 'Desert Tigers'. 

After flying the Marut for 12 years, the squadron converted to the newly inducted Mig-23 BN aircraft in Jodhpur in 1981. After flying the MiG-23 BN over deserts of Rajasthan from 1981 to 1997, the Squadron moved to Air Force Station Halwara on 31 August 1997. 

The unit operated from this base till 2005, when it was number plated. It operated from Leh and Pathankot during operation Safed Sagar in 1999. The Squadron was resurrected at its present location on 01 Sep 2011 with the state of the art SU-30 MKIs. From the Vampires to the SU-30s, the Desert Tigers have a prolific history. True to its motto ‘Shauryam Tejo Dhritih’ which translates to ‘Valour, Energy and Firmness,’ the unit has excelled in every role assigned to it over the last five decades.

The 32 Sqn AF, the ‘Thunderbirds’ was formed with the Mystere IV ac on 15 Oct 1963 at Air Force Station Adampur. This premier front line fighter squadron later operated the Vampire (1965) aircraft followed by the Sukhoi-7 (1969), the MiG-21 Bis (1984) and is currently operating the versatile Bison (2003). It has over the years distinguished itself in operations and peacetime with many awards and commendations. True to its motto “Maha Vegashya Drudvrat” meaning ‘fast in speed and firm in determination’, the Thunderbirds continue their assigned task of guarding the skies in the Rajasthan sector and making the Air Force Proud.