Very rarely do we find an external website or link to be of sufficient value that it is linked directly from our website.  The Photo Collection of late Wing Commander Aizad Baksh Awan (Retd) falls under this exceptional category. Hosted by his Grandson Mr. Asad Awan (of Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan) on the Flickr website, this collection of photos features previously unseen photos. Moreover , the captions accompanying them uncover previously unknown facts.

No.12 Squadron, RIAF was the only Squadron at the time of Independence operating transport aircraft. Equipped with the venerable Douglas Dakota, the Squadron had the distinction of flying many of the legendary flights that saved Kashmir for India. Additionally several Dakotas of civil operators also helped in the war effort.  Nearly sixty years after the operations, it is now possible to piece together the identities of the aircraft involved in the Kashmir Operations.

The award of President's colours/standard is one of the greatest honours bestowed upon an Air Force Unit or Squadron in recognition of exceptional service rendered by it to the nation, both during war and in peace. 

Air Marshal Narayan Menon (Retd), PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, writes about the Kargil Operations which were undertaken during his tenure as the Air Officer Commanding, J&K.

Image Galleries updated with exclusive photos from Sanjay Simha. HAL Tejas Trainer in Grey scheme. Photos of Jaguar, KH205, Embraer, Dornier 228 and HS748