BharatRakshak Indian Air Force| No.45 Squadron (1960-63)

No.45 Squadron (1960-63)

by Dr G S Grewal

Wg Cdr Mirgind Singh Grewal, 3481 GD(P) belonged to the 44th Pilots Course which commenced its training at the No.2 Elementary Flying Training School at Jodhpur just towards the end of the Second World War.

He was commissioned on 17th May 1948 - with Air Vice Marshal S Mukerjee reviewing the passing out parade at AFTS Ambala.

During this period he had trained on Cornells, Spitfire VIIIs, Spitfire XIVs as well as Spitfire XVIIIs. His first posting was to No.10 Squadron flying the Hawker Tempest II.

Grewal later completed his QFI course at FIS, earning the course trophy. After his instructing tenure, he was posted as the Commanding Officer for No.45 Squadron, flying the De Havilland Vampire FB52. He was the second Commanding Officer of the Squadron, then based at Palam.

In 1962, he was awarded the Vayu Sena Medal for gallantry during a flight he had undertaken in October 1960, in which he sucessfully landed his aircraft back at base inspite of damage by a mid air collision.

After promotion to Wing Commander, he was posted to 11 Wing at Tezpur as the OC Flying. Tragically he was killed in an Otter Crash on 5th April 1965.

Date: 02/26/2008

Owner: Webmaster

Size: 8 items

Flying Instructors Course, Tambaram

Flt Lt M S Grewal, receiving trophy from Air Commodore T S Virk, for topping the course.

Date: 02/26/2008

Keywords: FIS, Tambaram, Grewal, Virk

Taking over No.45 Squadron - 15 Feb 1960

Sqn Ldr M S Grewal taking over as Squadron Commander of 45 Squadron, consisting of De Havilland Vampires

Date: 02/26/2008

Keywords: 45Sqn, Vampire, Grewal

No.45 Squadron's "Winged Swords" Crest

The photo of the Crest of No.45 Squadron shows a winged sword - as designed by Squadron Leader Grewal himself. The Crest was approved by the Heraldic Commitee on 16th September 1961

Date: 02/26/2008

Keywords: Crest, 45Sqn

Inspection of HS-748 at Palam by Pandit Nehru, Nov 1961

A historic day for the IAF and Indian Aviation. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited had remodeled the aircraft Avro 748, to suit the demands of a transport aircraft of the Air Force. The first of this aircraft was named after the first Air Chief Subroto Mukerje

Date: 02/26/2008

Keywords: Avro, Grewal, HS-748, Nehru

Republic Day Parade 1962

Sqn Ldr M S Grewal leading the Air Force Contingent in the parade.

Date: 02/26/2008

Inspection at Delhi

Three outstanding Officers of the Air Force of the ‘60s, seen together. All expired in air crashes while on active duty. From left, Grp Capt Zafar Shah, AVM Pinto, Sqn Ldr M S Grewal and on the extreme right behind Sqn Ldr Grewal is Flt Lt Sidhu, the EO

Date: 02/26/2008