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AIR FORCE SQUADRONS AND ESTABLISHMENTS

No Unit Type Nickname Motto Motto Translation Raised on First Type CurrentType Location
1 Sqn Tigers Ekta Me Shakti Strength in Unity 01-Apr-33 Wapiti Mirage 2000 Maharajpur
2 Sqn Winged Arrows Amogh Lakshya True to Aim 01-Apr-41 Wapiti MiG-27 Kalaikunda
3 Sqn Cobras Lakshya Ved Destroy target with Precision 01-Oct-41 Audax MiG-21Bison Ambala
4 Sqn Oorials Maan Par Jaan Death over Dishonour 01-Feb-42 Lysander MiG-21Bis Uttarlai
5 Sqn Tuskers Shakti Vijayate Strength is Victory 02-Nov-48 Liberator B24 Jaguar IS Ambala
6 Sqn Dragons Sada Satark Always Alert 01-Dec-42 Hurricane Jaguar IM Pune
7 Sqn Battle Axes Shatrunjay Vanquish the enemy 01-Dec-42 Vengeance Mirage 2000 Maharajpur
8 Sqn Eight Pursoots Surakshya Va Akraman Offense is Defence 01-Dec-42 Vengeance Su-30 MKI -NYD-
9 Sqn Wolfpack Sahase Wasati Jayashrih In Courage resides Victory 04-Jan-44 Hurricane Mirage 2000 Gwalior
10 Sqn Winged Daggers Yudhyay Kritanishchayam Into War with Determination 20-Feb-44 Hurricane MiG-27
11 Sqn Charging Rhinos Vishwambhara Pranadah Supporters of the Universe 15-Nov-51 Dakota C47 HS-748 Vadodara
12 Sqn Yaks Amit Vikram ? 01-Dec-45 Dakota C47 An-32 Agra
14 Sqn Bulls Balam Jayay Strength will Conquer 15-Aug-51 Spitfire Jaguar IS Ambala
15 Sqn Flying Lances Nihantavya Shatrava Anhillate the Enemy 20-Aug-51 Spitfire MiG-21Bis Bhuj
16 Sqn Black Cobras Praharodata Ready to Strike ??-???-51 Spitfire Jaguar IS Gorakhpur
17 Sqn Golden Arrows Udayam Ajasram ? 01-Oct-51 Vampire F52 MiG-21M Bhisiana
18 Sqn Flying Bullets Theevra Aur Nirbhay Swift and Fearless 15-Apr-65 Gnat MiG-27 Kalaikunda
19 Sqn ? ? ? 01-Aug-60 C119 Packet Disbanded Disbanded
20 Sqn Lightning Vegvankutobhayah Fast and Furious 01-Jan-56 Vampire F52 Su-30 MKI Pune
21 Sqn Ankush Siddhivasti Saha Se Success lies in courage 16-Oct-65 Gnat MiG-21Bison Sirsa
22 Sqn Swifts Sahase Vijayate Courage Triumphs 15-Oct-66 Gnat MiG-27 Halwara
23 Sqn Panthers Amritham Abhayam Immortal and Fearless ??-???-57 Vampire F52 MiG-21 Bis Suratgarh
24 Sqn Hawks Navijitya Nivartanam No Return without Conquest 16-Feb-62 Vampire F52 Su-30 MKI -NYD-
25 Sqn Himalayan Eagles Satvadeena hi Sidhvayah ? 01-Mar-63 An-12 Il-76/An-32 Chandigarh
26 Sqn Warriors Yudhyasva Vigatha Jwar Wage war with all efforts 01-Jan-68 Su-7 MiG-21Bis
27 Sqn Flaming Arrows Durarakshya Saralakshya Strike far, Strike Sure 15-Feb-57 Vampire F52 Jaguar IS Gorakhpur
28 Sqn First Supersonics Sanharancha Karothi Ya Determined to Destroy 23-Mar-63 MiG-21 MiG-29 Jamnagar
29 Sqn Scorpions Sadaiv Sachet Ever Alert 10-Mar-58 Toofani MiG-27 Jodhpur
30 Sqn Rhinos Aseema Paurusha Boundless Valor 01-Nov-69 MiG-21FL Su-30 MKI Pune
31 Sqn Lions  Shatru Chhidrey Prahret A Kill with every blow 1-Sep-63 Mystere Disbanded Disbanded
32 Sqn Thunderbirds Mahavegashya Dhundvrataha ? ??-Nov-63 Vampire MiG-21Bison Jodhpur
33 Sqn Caribous  ? ? ??-Jan-63 Caribou An-32 Sulur
35 Sqn Rapiers Drutapraharanayudh ? 10-Aug-58 Canberra MiG-21Bis Bakshi Ka Talab
37 Sqn Black Panthers Sadaiv Nirbhik Fearless Forever 23-Dec-57 Vampire N54 MiG-21M
41 LAS Sqn Otters Samay Par Sahayta Help on time 1-Mar-58 DHC-3 Otter Do 228 Palam
42 Sqn ? ? ? ?-???-63 Illyushin-14 Disbanded Disbanded
43 Sqn Ibex Nabhasa Jivan Dhara Lifeline through the skies 20-Jan-58 C-47 Dakota An-32 Jorhat
44 Sqn Mighty Jets Ishtam Yatnen Sadhyet ? 6-Apr-61 An-12 Il-76 Sonegaon
45 Sqn Flying Daggers Ajeeta Nabaha ? ??-Jan-60 Vampire MiG-21Bison Naliya
47 Sqn Black Archers Karmani Vyaprutham Dhanuhu My bow is ready for  task 18-Dec-59 Toofani MiG-29 Adampur
48 Sqn Camels Sahasa phalit Sarvetrah ? 15-Nov-59 C-119 An-32 Chandigarh
49 Sqn Paraspears Dhairya Vijayate Bold will be victorious ? C-119 An-32 Jorhat
51 Sqn Sword Arms Yudhya Mahaspara Bhayankara ? ? MiG-21MF MiG-21Bison Srinagar
52 Sqn Sharks|Suryakirans Sadaiva Sarvottam ? 1-Jan-86 MiG-21FL HAL Kiran II Bidar
53 AAF Sqn ? ? ? 1-Jan-56 Tigermoth Disbanded Disbanded
55 AAF Sqn ? ? ? 1-Jan-56 Tigermoth Disbanded Disbanded
59 Sqn Hornbills Nishta Dhairya Parisramah ? ? DHC-3 Otter HS-748 Guwahati
78 MAR Sqn Battle Cry ? ? ??-???-03 Il-78 MKI Il-78 MKI Agra
34 Sqn ? Sangrame Jayate Shur Only the brave will win the war ??-???-65 SA-2 Disbanded Disbanded
46 Sqn ? Sangrame Jayate Shur Only the brave will win the war ?? SA-2 Disbanded Disbanded
50 Sqn ? Sangrame Jayate Shur Only the brave will win the war ?? SA-2 Disbanded Disbanded
53 Sqn ? Sangrame Jayate Shur Only the brave will win the war ?? SA-2 Disbanded Disbanded
58 Sqn ? Sangrame Jayate Shur Only the brave will win the war ?? SA-2 Disbanded Disbanded
61 Sqn ? Sangrame Jayate Shur Only the brave will win the war ?? SA-2 Disbanded Disbanded
62 Sqn ? Sangrame Jayate Shur Only the brave will win the war ?? SA-2 Disbanded Disbanded
72 Sqn ? Sangrame Jayate Shur Only the brave will win the war ?? SA-2 Disbanded Disbanded
74 Sqn ? Sangrame Jayate Shur Only the brave will win the war ?? SA-2 Disbanded Disbanded
101 Sqn Falcons Anwishyavedhi Search and Destroy 1-May-49 Spitfire MiG-21M Naliya
102 PR Sqn Trisonics Samdhanam Ripudamanayah ? 25-Aug-81 MiG-25 Disbanded Disbanded
103 Comm Flt ? ? ? ? ? Now EAC Flt Guwahati
104 Heli Sqn Pioneer Rotarians Apatsu Mitram A friend in time of need 10-Mar-54 Sikorsky 55 Mi-35 Suratgarh
105 HU Daring Eagles Apatsu Mitram A friend in time of need 23-Nov-59 Mi-4 Mi-8 Gorakhpur
106 SPR Sqn Lynx Sarva Peshayami ? 01-May-57 Canberra Canberra Agra
107 HU Desert Hawks Apatsu Mitram A friend in time of need Jan-60 Bell 47 / S-62 Mi-8
108 Sqn Hawkeyes Shodan Aur Aakraman ? 20-Nov-59 Vampire MiG-21M Pathankot
109 HU Knights Apatsu Mitram A friend in time of need 26-Aug-61 Mi-4 Mi-8 Sulur
110 HU Vanguards Apatsu Mitram A friend in time of need 10-Aug-63 Mi-4 Mi-8 Kumbhirgram
111 HU Snow Tigers Apatsu Mitram A friend in time of need 01-Aug-63 Mi-4 Chetak Bareilly
112 HU Throughbreds Apatsu Mitram A friend in time of need 01-Aug-63 Bell 47 Mi-8
114 HU Siachen Pioneers Apatsu Mitram A friend in time of need 01-Apr-64 Chetak Cheetah Leh
115 HU Hovering Angels Apatsu Mitram A friend in time of need 01-Apr-67 ? Chetak Tezpur
116 HU Tankbusters Apatsu Mitram A friend in time of need 01-Jan-70 Chetak Chetak
117 HU Himalayan Dragons Apatsu Mitram A friend in time of need ? ? Mi-8 & Dhruv Sarasawa
118 HU Challengers Apatsu Mitram A friend in time of need 22-Nov-71 Mi-8 Mi-8
119 Heli Flight ? Apatsu Mitram A friend in time of need ? Mi-8 Mi-8 ?
120 HU ? ? ? ? ? ?
121 Heli Flight ? Apatsu Mitram A friend in time of need ? Mi-8 ? Santa Cruz
122 Heli Flight Dolphins Apatsu Mitram A friend in time of need 26-Sep-81 Mi-8 Mi-8 Car Nicobar
125 Heli Sqn Gladiators Balidaan Veerasya Bhushanam Sacrifice is jewel of Brave 01-Nov-83 Mi-24 Mi-35 Pathankot
126 Heli Flight Featherweights ? ? 15-May-86 Mi-26 Mi-26 Chandigarh
127 HU First Ranas ? Undaunted Undettered 10-Jan-85 Mi-17 Mi-17
128 HU Siachen Tigers ? ? ? Mi-17 Mi-17
129 HU Nubra Warriors ? Never Give In 01-Jul-87 Mi-17 Mi-17 Jorhat
130 HU Condors ? We Support Life 15-Feb-88 Mi-17 Mi-17 IV Leh
131 FAC Flight Airborne Pointers ? Savage and Powerful 02-Aug-74 Cheetah Cheetah
132 FAC Flight Hovering Hawks ? ? 24-Feb-86 Cheetah Cheetah Udhampur
134 FAC Flight Air Wolves ? ? ? Cheetah Disbanded Disbanded
141 SSS Flight Flamingos Apatsu Mitram A friend in time of need 1975 Mi-4 Chetak
142 SSS Flight Flying Amphibs Apatsu Mitram A friend in time of need 01-Aug-74 Mi-4 Chetak Bagdogra
151 HU Sarangs ? ? Dhruv Dhruv Yelahanka
152 HU Mighty Armours ? ? 14-Sep-88 Mi-17 Mi-17 Sarasawa
153 HU Daring Dragons ? ? 01-Nov-88 Mi-17 Mi-17 Udhampur
181 Flight ? Sadaiva Satark ? ? HS-748 HS-748 Hindon
220 Sqn Desert Tigers Shauryam Tejo Dhritih Valour, Energy and Firmness ? Vampire Disbanded Disbanded
221 Sqn Valiants Tejaso Shatrun damayah ? ? Vampire MiG-23BN Halwara
222 Sqn Tigersharks Vinashaya Dushkrutam Destroyer of Evil 15-Sep-69 Sukhoi-7 MiG-27 Hashimara
223 Sqn Tridents Vijayastra Amoghastra Weapon for Victory 10-May-82 MiG-23MF MiG-29 Adampur
224 Sqn Warlords ? ? 04-Jul-83 MiG-23MF Disbanded Disbanded
- - - - - - - -
TACDE ? Tejas Tejaswi Namaham I am the glory of the glorious ? MiG-21/ Su-7 MiG-27 Gwalior
MOFTU ? Sarva Yudhavisharada All skilled in warfare ? MiG-21FL MiG-21FL Tezpur
AHQCS Pegasus Seva aur Suraksha Service and Security ? Various Various Palam
1 TTU ? ? ? ? Dakota Disbanded Disbanded
2 TTU Banners ? ? ? Hunter Lakshya
OCU Young uns ? ? ? Hunter MiG-21FL

Note:

Several units may have had short lived predecessors in the IAF. It is not known if some of the units mentioned trace thier lineage back to the older predecessors. Some of the existing unit numbers that were taken up by earlier units include 51,52,53,54,55 which were Auxillary Air Force Squadrons. 102 was a Survey Flight raised on 15-Oct-51 that was merged with 106 SPR Unit in Dec 59. 120, 121 and 122 were Ad-Hoc Squadrons raised during the 1971 War and disbanded soon after. Also several two digit numbers were taken up by SA-2 SAM units when they were first introduced in 1965. It is estimated that nearly 15 SA-2 Squadrons were raised. Some of these Squadrons are reproduced here in pink color within the normal sequence of Squadron Numbers.

Acknowledgements: Rupak Chattopadhyay, Rakesh Koshy, Phil Camp, Simon Watson, Ravi Rikhye, Dr. Sanjay Badri Maharaj, Amitabh Dubey, Anandeep Pannu and the Official Indian Air Force Website

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