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Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria interacting with the Rafale pilots of 101 Sqn.
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Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria during induction ceremony of 101 Squadron.
The No. 101 Squadron (Falcons) is an Indian Air Force fighter aircraft squadron which is equipped with the Dassault Rafale and is based at the Hasimara Air Force Station.[2]
No. 101 Squadron | |
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Active |
|
Country | Republic of India |
Branch | Indian Air Force |
Role | Fighter |
Garrison/HQ | Hasimara AFS |
Nickname(s) | "Falcons" |
Motto(s) | Anwishyavedhi Search and Destroy |
Commanders | |
Current commander | Group Captain Neeraj Jhamb[1] |
Aircraft flown | |
Fighter | Dassault Rafale |
101 Squadron was formed with the specific role of photo reconnaissance. Enjoying the place of pride in the Squadron crest is a trained hunting Falcon, the bird's keen eyesight, quick and sure kill ability symbolizes the role for which the Squadron was formed.[3]
The squadron was reinstated with Dassault Rafale in June 2021 and was inducted into Hasimara, West Bengal on 28 July 2021.[1][4]
The squadron was reinstated in June 2021 with 5 Dassault Rafale in Ambala. The squadron was commissioned in its designated base in Hasimara from 28 July 2021.[5]
Aircraft types operated by the squadron[6]
Aircraft Type | From | To | Air Base |
---|---|---|---|
Harvard | June 1949 | February 1957 | Palam AFS[6] |
Supermarine Spitfire | |||
de Havilland Vampire | February 1957 | July 1968 | Adampur AFS[6] |
Sukhoi Su-7 | July 1968 | June 1981 | |
MiG-21 M | June 1981 | 2002 | Sirsa AFS[6] |
2002 | January 2011 | Adampur AFS[6] | |
Dassault Rafale | 28 July 2021 | Present | Hasimara AFS[1][7] |