No. 20 Squadron Indian Air Force [Hawks] is a fighter squadron. It is now equipped with Sukhoi Su-30MKI and based at Lohegaon Air Force Station, Pune. The IAF's most decorated squadron, No.20 Lightnings, was re-commissioned from its number plated status to operational status. Its pilots and crews were mainly drawn from the first Sukhoi squadron,No. 24 Squadron IAF 'Hunting Hawks,' with which it shares Lohegaon Air Force Station, and therefore have considerable experience on the type.
This history of No. 20 Squadron Indian Air Force, Popularly known by the sobriquet “Lightnings” after its Crest, written by Wg Cdr Ashok Limaye, a former CO, records from posterity its early years on the twin-boomed Vampire (which bestowed it as a ground attack-air defence squadron) and the four decades with the Hunter (“Gods Own Aeroplane”) with which type it fought two full scale wars in 1965 and 1971.
The Lightnings stuck with tremendous impact during the December 1971 operations. Roving deep into hostile territory and at the end of that war, had gained the largest number of gallantry awards in the Service. A decade later, No. 20 Squadron were chosen to form the IAF’s formation aerobatic team given the appellation of “Thunderbolts” giving scincilating displays throughout the country.
The last decade on the Hunter was dedicated to operational conversion training in eastern India till the squadron were number plated and then reformed on the new generation Sukhoi Su-30 MKI. With this superlative long range multi-role combat aircraft, the Lightnings fly confidently in their enhanced role of the 21st century.
No comments:
Post a Comment