No. 104 Helicopter Squadron, IAF

Summary

No. 104 Helicopter Squadron (Pioneer Rotarians) is a fighter squadron and is equipped with Mil Mi-35 and based at Suratgarh Air Force Station.[1]

No. 104 Helicopter Squadron
Active10 March 1954- Present
CountryIndia Republic of India
Branch Indian Air Force
Garrison/HQSuratgarh AFS
Nickname(s)"Pioneer Rotarians"
Motto(s)Apatsu Mitram
A friend in time of need
Aircraft flown
AttackMil Mi-35

History edit

The acquisition of Sikorsky S-55 in 1954 heralded the creation of the first Helicopter Flight within the IAF, and in 1958 become established as the first dedicated Helicopter Unit, No. 104 Helicopter Squadron.[2]

The IAF S-55s were later phased out in 1966 inducting other helicopter types into service, such as the Mil Mi-35 model in 1990.[3]

Assignments edit

Aircraft edit

Aircraft From To Air Base
Sikorsky S-55 10 March 1954 March 1965 Palam AFS[4]
March 1965 May 1967 Hindan AFS
May 1967 N/A Saharanpur AFS
HAL Chetak N/A N/A
Mil Mi-35 April 1990 April 1995 Bhatinda AFS
May 1995 Present Suratgarh AFS

References edit

  1. ^ "Squadrons and Helicopter Units". Bharat Rakshak. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
  2. ^ "Sikorsky S-55 : The First Helicopters of the Indian Air Force".
  3. ^ "Our Strength". Archived from the original on 21 September 2013. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
  4. ^ "No.104 Helicopter Squadron Firebirds". Bharat Rakshak. Retrieved 30 August 2022.