No. 26 Squadron IAF

Add links
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

No. 26 Squadron
Active1 January 1968 – N/A
Country
MiG-21 bis

No. 26 Squadron IAF (Warriors) is a Ground Attack and

Pathankot Air Force Station under India's Western Air Command.[1][2] The squadron was number plated on an unspecified date.[3]

History

Formation

No. 26 Squadron was formed on 1 January 1968 at

Close Air Support (CAS) missions with 8 Tactical Air Command (TAC). It also flew several sorties with 6 TAC. Most operations were in an area known as the Bulge, bounded by Samba in the north, Pathankot in the east, and Dera Baba Nanak in the south.[4]

1971 Indo-Pakistani War

The

Chandhar Air Force Base early that morning. At dusk, four aircraft were sent to strike a suspected radar site at Walton Airfield.[4]

On 5 December, after a briefing at 04:30 hours, the squadron flew missions for 6 TAC in the

F-104 Starfighter and the pilot killed. On 8 December, after a briefing at 06:30 hours, No. 26 Squadron flew several CAS missions with no losses. But losses over the preceding days had reduced the squadron to 13 pilots and just 11 aircraft.[4]

On 9 December, No. 26 Squadron began flying missions with

Sabres. Two aircraft returned undamaged, but Ft Lt K.K.Mohan was reported missing. On 12 December, the squadron flew 12 CAS sorties, without mishap beyond occasional Pakistani jamming of their communications. No. 26 Squadron flew fewer sorties as the war drew to close. Only eight were flown on 13 December.[4]

On 14 December, fighting in Shakargarh intensified, and the squadron flew 14 sorties. Its Forward Air Controller, Flt Lt Lawrence Pereira, was seriously injured by strafing runs, and died from his injuries. On 15 December, No. 26 Squadron acquired S-24 rockets, which it used to attack the Sulemanki Headworks. On 16 December, after the surrender of the Pakistani forces in Dhaka, the squadron flew a mission against the Normal Railway Yard. It flew into heavy anti-aircraft fire. Flt Lt Dandass was shot down, and his aircraft exploded on the ground. That evening, the Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi, ordered a unilateral ceasefire on the western front. On 17 December, only 12 sorties were flown. A cessation of all air strikes was ordered at 16:00 hours that evening.[4]

Post-War

No. 26 Squadron has received several trophies as best squadron in India's Western Air Command.[citation needed]

In June 1977, the squadron was re-equipped with

MiG 21BIS aircraft. It is the only IAF squadron still flying the legacy MiG-21bis fighters (all other MiG-21bis squadrons upgraded to the MiG-21 Bison).[5]

No. 26 Squadron took part in the 50-squadron flypast in 1982, commemorating the IAF Golden Jubilee.[citation needed]

In November 2014, it was awarded the President's Standard.[4]

The squadron celebrated its golden jubilee in 2019 and remains the only squadron in Indian Air Force fleet to operate non upgraded Mig-21 bis. The squadron was planned to be number-plated in 2020.[5]

The squadron was number plated on an unspecified date. Currently, only 4 MiG-21 Bison squadron remains in service.[3]

Awards

On 21 November 2014, the then President of India, Pranab Mukherjee, awarded the President's Standard to No. 115 Helicopter Unit, IAF and No. 26 Squadron at Tezpur, Assam.[6]

Aircraft

Aircraft types operated by the squadron[7]

Aircraft Type From To Air Base
Sukhoi Su-7 BMK February 1968 July 1977
Adampur AFS[7]
MiG-21 bis
 July 1977 N/A
Pathankot AFS[7]

References

  1. ^ "Squadrons and Helicopter Units". Indian Air Force Units. [Bharat Rakshak]. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
  2. ^ "Indian Air Force Stations". Indian Air Force. [Global Security]. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
  3. ^ a b "IAF to get 35 fighter squadrons in next 10 years, but needs 42: Air chief". Deccan Chronicle. 6 October 2021.
  4. ^ a b c d e f "No 26 Squadron(Warriors)". Indian Air Force Units. [Official Website of the Indian Air Force]. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
  5. ^ a b "IAF's 26 Squadron celebrates 50th anniversary — it could well be the last". The Print. 18 October 2019. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
  6. ^ "President of India awards Standards to 115 Helicopter Unit and 26 Squadron".
  7. ^ a b c "No.26 Squadron Falcons - Bharat Rakshak:Indian Air Force". bharat-rakshak.com.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=No._26_Squadron_IAF&oldid=1196594175"