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Air Force Station Chandigarh

While fighter aircraft are no longer stationed in the city’s air base yet, the first squadron to induct MiG-21 (Type 77) aircraft, No. 28 Squadron, was based in Chandigarh in 1963. Air Force Station Chandigarh saw its first action during Chinese aggression in 1962 and played a stellar role by airlifting AMX tanks in AN-12s to Chushul, very close to the border. The station received the first MiG (Type 77) fighter interceptor, 28 Squadron, in March 1963. The Squadron was at that time commanded by Wing Commander Dilbagh Singh, who later went on to become Chief of the Air Staff. After 1965 War, Chandigarh was the base for re – equipment with and conversion on MiG-21s between 1966-79 for a number of squadrons. A MiG link trainer (KTS-4), capable of simulating all manoeuvres, a very useful aid for pilots training was also installed in 1967.

Mini Rock Garden within Air Force station, Chandigarh was inaugurated by Air Cmde SRK Nair, AOC 12 Wing Air Force. A Padmashri recipient and creator of Rock Garden, Mr Nek Chand was also present on the occasion. He extended all help and advices in creation of such magnificent scaled model at Air Force Station, Chandigarh. He applauded the efforts taken by Air Force in creating a delight for visiting personnel and dignitaries.

Chandigarh, being the gateway to the entire northern region of the Himalayan frontier, movements of VIPs and dignitaries are often experienced by this strategic base. To give a glimpse of City Beautiful in air-base itself, initiatives of creating a mini Rock Garden was taken by Featherweights under the aegis of 12 Wings, Air Force. It is an endeavour to amalgamate the beauty of Rock Garden and military finesse, so as to extend the warm welcome for visiting or transiting VIPs ad dignitaries.

The first squadron to induct AN-12 heavy lift aircraft was also stationed in Chandigarh. No. 44 Squadron was then commanded by Wing Commander (Later Group Captain) Tom Lionel Anderson who was the first Commanding Officer. The squadron was formed at Chandigarh in April 1961, the year Chandigarh airbase itself was established. No. 48 Squadron converted from Packetts aircraft to AN 32 and moved to Chandigarh in May 1986. And the 126 Helicopter Flight which has received the Chinook helicopter and is now a full-fledged helicopter unit, was also raised in Chandigarh in 1986 and equipped with the MI-26 heavy lift helicopters.

Air Marshal DC Kumaria, Air Officer Commanding-in- Chief, Western Air Command is on a two day visit to Air Force Station Chandigarh to felicitate the station, as it celebrates its Golden Jubilee on 01 March 2011. In a series of functions spread over five days, from 01 to 05 Mar 11, the station celebrates its glorious history which dates back to 01 Mar 1961, when Group Captain Aulakh flew down from Delhi in an Otter aircraft along with his team of officers and men to build this station. The first task assigned to the station was to raise No. 42 Squadron of IL 14 and 44 Squadron of AN-12s on 07 Mar and 31 Mar 61 respectively. Soon 109 HU of MI-4 helicopters joined the station.

Air Force Station Chandigarh saw its first action during Chinese aggression in 1962 and played a stellar role by airlifting AMX tanks in AN-12s to Chushul, very close to the border. The station received the first MiG (Type 77) fighter interceptor, 28 Squadron, in March 1963. The Squadron was at that time commanded by Wing Commander Dilbagh Singh, who later went on to become Chief of the Air Staff.

The command of the station was elevated to the rank of Air Commodore in the year 1968 with Air Commodore Jaspal Singh, as Air Officer Commanding of Station. On 03 Dec 71, PAF attacked a number of our air bases and Air Force Station swung into action and proved its mettle in their new role of ‘Carpet Bombing’ on the Western front, and para assault by different types of aircraft on the night of 11 and 12 Dec 71 at ‘TANGAIL’ which brought the war to a quicker ending . The Canberras also used this base as a forward staging post for deep strikes inside Pakistan. In May 1986, 48 Squadron equipped with AN-32s (Medium tactical) moved from Allahabad to Chandigarh for their Air Maintenance Operations in Siachen in North-Western Ladakh. AN-32s were the first aircraft to land at ‘Jaffna at the commencement of ‘Op Pawan’ while IL-76 were the first at Male during the Maldives Operation.

During the ‘Bhuj’ earthquake in 2001, the aircraft of the base were the first to land with relief supplies. MI 26 helicopters provided the much needed air support during flash floods in Rampur in the hilly terrains of Himachal Pradesh. Air Force Station, Chandigarh plays a vital role in national security, keeping vigil over the skies and maintaining life lines to remote and difficult border areas. The base has demonstrated its capacity to accomplish task with swift efficiency. Reactivating Advanced Landing Grounds like ‘Daulat Beg Oldie’, ‘Fukche’ and activating ‘Nyoma’ and carrying out continuous Flood Relief missions during flash floods of Leh are the current achievements of the station.

On 25 March 2019, the IAF formally inducted the CH 47 F(I)- Chinook heavy lift helicopters into its inventory at Air Force Station Chandigarh. Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa PVSM AVSM YSM VM ADC, Chief of the Air Staff was the Chief guest and the event was attended by various dignitaries. IAF had signed a contract with M/s Boeing Ltd in September 2015 for 15 Chinook helicopters. The first batch of four helicopters has been delivered on schedule and the last batch is to be delivered by March next year. These helicopters will be deployed in the Northern and Eastern regions of India.

The addition of heavy-lift CH 47 F(I) helicopter is a significant step towards modernisation of Indian Air Force’s helicopter fleet. The helicopter has been customized to suit IAF’s future requirements and capability roadmap. The helicopter has a fully integrated digital cockpit management system, advanced cargo handling capabilities and electronic warfare suite that complement the aircraft’s performance. The helicopter is capable of airlifting diverse military and non military loads into remote locations.