IAF Station Jammu, then the advance HQ of No 3 Wing was formed into an independent 01 Operational Wing, RIAF, administered by Air HQ India through No 1 operational Group, Palam on 10 Mar 1948. In the third week of Jul 1950, No 1 Wing moved from Jammu to its present location. The airfield was developed into an IAF base from the old runway that was used by the erstwhile Maharaja Hari Singh for his personal use. Though the base was formally established in 1948 the first AF Dakota landed on 27 Oct 1947 carrying troops of 1 st Sikh Bn to beat back the advancing Pakistani raiders. The old ATC building still remains at this station as a historical relic and a reminder of yesteryears. Since its inception AF Station Srinagar has played a significant role in all the major conflicts.