No. 45 Squadron IAF
| No. 45 Squadron | |
|---|---|
 First Tejas flight after the squadron induction ceremony. | |
| Active | 1957 - Present. |
| Country |  Republic of India |
| Branch |  Indian Air Force |
| Role | Air superiority Precision Strike Combat air patrol |
| Garrison/HQ | Bangalore, Karnataka |
| Nickname(s) | Flying Daggers |
| Motto(s) | Ajithalakshya Invincibility Our Mission |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Group Captain Madhav Rangachari[1] |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Attack | HAL Tejas |
No. 45 Squadron Indian Airforce (Flying Daggers) is a Fighter Squadron internally based at Bangalore, Karnataka. The Squadron operate indigenous HAL Tejas fighter from 1 July 2016.[2]
History
The squadron was raised on 15 February 1957,[3] with de Havilland Vampires, as a Ground-Attack and Close Air Support unit. Later The Vampires were replaced by MiG-21Bison. The MiGs are withdrawn from squadron service in 2002 which were operated from Naliya. It is the first operational squadron of the indigenous fighter jet HAL Tejas From 1 July 2016.[2] The Squadron will operate from Yelahanka Air Base, Bangalore for nearly two years before it moves to its designated locations at Sulur near Coimbatore.[4] It is also the first fighter Squadron to be part of the Southern Air Command of IAF headquarters at Thiruvananthapuram.
Indo-Pakistan War of 1965
On 1 September 1965, during the Indo-Pakistani War, No. 45 Squadron IAF responded to a request for strikes against a counter-attack by the Pakistani Army (Operation Grand Slam), and twelve Vampire Mk 52 fighter-bombers were successful in slowing the Pakistani advance. However, the Vampires encountered two Pakistan Air Force (PAF) F-86 Sabres, armed with air-to-air missiles; in the ensuing dogfight, the outdated Vampires were outclassed. One was shot down by ground fire and another three were shot down by Sabres.[5][6] The Vampires were withdrawn from front line service after these losses.
Atlantique incident
Indian Airforce No.45 Squadron involved in Atlantique incident on 10 August 1999. Two MiG-21Bison from No.45 Squadron IAF intercepted and shot down Pakistani naval reconnaissance plane.[7][8]
Assignments
Aircraft
| Aircraft Type | From | To |
|---|---|---|
| de Havilland Vampire | June 1957 | N/A |
| Mig-21 | N/A | 2002 |
| HAL Tejas | July 2016 | Till Date |
References
- ^ "First squadron of Light Combat Aircraft Tejas inducted into IAF in Bengaluru". Firstpost. 1 July 2016. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
- ^ a b "HAL Tejas supersonic fighter jets inducted into Indian Air Force". The Times of India. 1 July 2016. Retrieved 1 July 2016.
- ^ "History of IAF". IAF.
- ^ "IAF begins establishing first LCA squadron." Deccan Herald. Retrieved 1 July 2016. Archived 2013-12-20 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Pakistani Air-to-Air Victories, Air Combat Information Group, 2003, retrieved 10 June 2009.
- ^ (Retd), Air Marshal Trilochan Singh PVSM AVSM VrC VM. "Tank Busting In The Chamb - Bharat Rakshak:Indian Air Force". bharat-rakshak.com.
- ^ "The Atlantique Incident". 1999 Kargil Operations. Bharat Rakshak Indian Air Force. Archived from the original on 2 February 2007. Retrieved 9 March 2007.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ IAF Scores a Kill !!! Factual Account of Interception – Indian Air Force official page Retrieved on 26 July 2007
- ^ Pillarisetti, Jagan. "No.7 Squadron - Bharat Rakshak:Indian Air Force". bharat-rakshak.com.
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