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The Night Raiders : Good Morning Peshawar

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Category: The India-Pakistan War 1965
Last Updated: Wednesday, 16 September 2015 03:27
Written by Gp Capt Amrik Singh Ahluwalia
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On September 13th, 50 years back the greatest bomber operation against Pakistan was launched by the Indian Air Force. It had all the drama and melodrama, climax and anti-climax, it was a yes, yes, no, no and then YES! It was the operation with the greatest precision on the part of the Indian Air Force, a top-secret mission, known to very few on the top--the AOC-in-C of the Western Air Command, the then CAS (now Marshal of the Indian Air Force) and a few staff officers working on the planning and execution of the mission. These were the 4th and 5th Operational Missions for Gp Capt Amrik Ahluwalia, who narrated the story in Chapter 16 of his book Airborne to Chairborne. The article shares both his thoughts and the actual planning and execution of the mission and the top secrecy from India and a great surprise attack on Pakistan--never, ever, expected by them even in their dreams. 

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Daylight Forays into Pakistan

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Category: The India-Pakistan War 1965
Last Updated: Saturday, 05 September 2015 05:32
Written by Book Excerpt
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There was one aircrew in the Indian Air Force who could fly anywhere into Pakistan as they pleased at any time of the day! Whether it was Skardu or Karachi or Quetta, they would foray deep into Pakistan during day and come back with valuable intel and imagery. That aircraft crew was led by then Squadron Leader 'Jaggi Nath' MVC and Bar.

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The First Air Battle - 3rd September 1965

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Category: The India-Pakistan War 1965
Last Updated: Thursday, 03 September 2015 04:20
Written by Gp Capt Mohan Murdeshwar
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Gp Capt Mohan "Manna" Murdeshwar is one of the 'few' , who flew with the elite Gnat Units during the 1965 war. He had the privilege of participating in all of the air combats that No.23 Squadron was involved in, including the historic air battle on 3rd September 1965 when Squadron Leader Trevor Keelor scored the first aerial victory for the Indian Air Force. This is his side of the story.

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220 Squadron, IAF - Unsung warriors of 1965

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Category: History
Last Updated: Tuesday, 01 September 2015 22:21
Written by Sandhya Janorkar
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The events of September 1st, 1965 are seared into the minds of every Air Force veteran who fought in that conflict.  In no small measure to the sacrifice made by three pilots of No.45 and 220 Squadron, flying obsolete Vampire FB52s in the face of the overwhelming odds against the Pakistani offensive in Chamb. In this article Mrs. Sandhya Janorkhar writes about her one of the 'few' who didnt return that day. 

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Golden Arrows over Kargil

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Category: Kargil War 1999
Last Updated: Wednesday, 15 July 2015 12:31
Written by 17 Squadron War Diary
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No.17 Squadron took part in the Kargil Operations distinguishing itself in the Fighter Recce role. Under the command of then Wg Cdr B S Dhanoa, the unit was engaged in operations throughout the conflict and one of its members paid the ultimate sacrifice to the nation.

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Bale Out from a Deepak

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Category: Flight Safety
Last Updated: Thursday, 24 December 2020 18:21
Written by Gp Capt M Sabharwal
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The HAL HPT-32 Deepak had a chequered career in the Indian Air Force - Introduced in the late 80s, it served for about two decades in the IAF, being used for the ab-initio flying training of IAF Cadets. Over the course of its career, more than 21 were lost in accidents.  Only two known incidents involved pilots successfully baling out - thus earning themselves membership in the Caterpillar Club.  The first such baleout was done by Flight Cadet M Sabharwal - later Gp Capt, 22122 F(P) . This is his account, first published in Flight Safety Magazine.

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