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Celebrating the 30th Anniversary of India's Greatest Military Victory
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The Himalayan Geese with claws
They are a transport squadron, but they dont fly like one...

Dec 13, Barielly: Anyone visiting the No.44 Squadron flying the Antonov-12 transport aircraft would be forgiven for thinking that these transport pilots are away from the dangers of the frontline and that their flying is not half as exciting as that of pilots in the Combat Squadron. Reactions of people coming to know of this squadron's role in this war have ranged from total surprise to skepticism about the truth.

This squadron does not use its transport aircraft in the tradional role, but uses it to carry bombs and go after enemy targets! Believe it or not, the Squadron had already carried out numerous missions deep into enemy territory flying in pitch darkness and sucessfully undertaken carpet bombing missions.

Leading this team of pilots is Wing Commander Vidya Bhusan Vasisht, the CO of the squadron. Having joined the squadron four months back, Vasisht has done his training with the squadron and vouches for the willingness of any person in his team to fly in the face of danger. Vasisht led the first sortie of the war, when he led a formation of Six An-12s equipped with twenty 500lb bombs each to bomb the POL dumps in the Changa Manga forest.

The Antonov-12 Transport aircraft flown by No.44 Squadron

The aircraft flew as low as 180 feet to drop these bombs over the enemy positions.

Next in line was the enemy positions in Kahuta area near Poonch. An area measuring 4km X 4km was attacked and bombed with directions from the army.

More missions to bomb the HQ of 18 Division at Fort Abbas, and the Suleimanke Headworks followed.

The squadron undertook all these operations with gusto and pride. The last mentioned target was attacked by four An-12s dropping bombs at 10 minutes intervals.

Today, the Squadron carried out a sucessful raid on the Railway Marshalling yard at Rohri. This was a dusk attack towards the evening carried out by two aircraft. Huge damage was caused to the Railway facilities.

Wing Commander Vidya Bhushan Vashist.

The only interruption to their "combat duties" was "when we were called to participate in the Tangail airdrop" says the Squadron Commander. What next? Is attacking targets by Carpet bombing the only method these aircraft can be employed. "Wait and see" says the Wg Cdr. "The An-12 will make a name for itself.". Under the leadership of such men, We are sure it will.