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Helicopter Unit 104
"Pioneer Rotorians"

One-O-Four Helicopter Squadron is the oldest and the most prestigious helicopter unit of the IAF with five decades of yeoman service to the country. The unit has seen many operations and has excelled in multifarious roles. Today it has blossomed into a professional fighting outfit that not only forms an integral part of the Indian Air Force but also provides support to the Army for its offensive operations.

The Indian Air Force experience with rotary wing aircraft dates back to 25 March 1954 when the first helicopter wearing IAF markings appeared at Palam in the form of a Sikorsky S-55. Purchased in the United States, these general purpose/utility helicopters were used to equip One - O - Four, the first of the IAF's dedicated rotary wing operating formations. Thus, the operational potentiality in the vertical dimension first generated through 104 Helicopter Flight, has today blossomed to form an integral part of the IAF fleet, and provides support to the Army as an attack platform.

Equipped with the Mi-35 the Squadron has been tasked with the primary roles of anti tank, counter surface force operations, escort for special hellebore operations and assault operations. it has secondary roles of COINS, Anti Infiltration and SAR in TBA.

The history of 104 Helicopter Unit, the oldest Helicopter Unit of the IAF, is studded with more than four decades of yeomen service rendered to the country. One-O-Four was raised as Helicopter Flight at Palam on 10 March 1954. The first helicopter S-55 arrived at Bombay by sea on 19 March 1954. It was subsequently test flown on 23 March 1954 and ferried to Delhi on 25 March 1954. Thus began the IAF experience with rotary wing aircraft, a new dimension in the form of vertical component had been born.

The Unit which undertook its first VVIP flight in 1954, was virtually the sole contractor for next two decades to carry a wide spectrum of VVIPs, including the President, the Prime Minister, renowned statesmen, Generals, Luminaries and visiting foreign dignitaries.

Within 72 hours of the arrival of its first helicopter, the flight undertook its first VVIP commitment on 28 March 1954, when it carried the first Prime Minister of India, the Late Pandit Javharlal Nehru, from Palam to Tilpat range and back to witness the 'Fire Power Demo'. During the same year, it did its first mercy mission when it evacuated 15 villagers marooned in the middle of Jamuna river (near Delhi). A very responsive press Started refering to helicopters as the 'Harbingers of life". In addition to above tasks, the flight set about in right earnest to supplement its aircrew fleet and to impart training in all kinds of operation, namely, causality evacuation, rescue operations, mercy missions and so on. This was further accelerated with the arrival of 4 Bell 47 G 3, which were acquired mainly for conversion training and to serve with Army formations for reconnaissance and liaison duties.

The flight was upgraded to a helicopter unit on 1 May 1958. In April 1959, the unit took up the helicopter conversion to two Naval pilots and subsequently, One Sikorsky S-55 helicopter was allotted to Navy for Air sea rescue and plane guard duties abroad INS Vikrant.

In 1960, the MI-4, a Russian origin helicopter joined the existing fleet of 104 HU, which subsequently earned the distinction of being referred to as a 'Work Horse' of the IAF. The Unit maintained its penchant for keeping pace with state - of art and entered the jet age with the arrival of Allouette III, a French Helicopter, now renamed as Chetak and indigenously manufactured. In March 1965, the Unit shifted to Air Force Station Hindon. One-O-Four was the first occupant of the station and became an integral part of it until May 1976, when it shifted to Sarsawa.

In 1977, it joined the ranks of the fighting forces of the IAF, when the role of the Unit was re-designated to that of ATGM (Anti Tank Guided Missile). All helicopters were modified to carry 4 AS 11B wire command, self propelled and guided missiles. Since then, the unit has taken part in numerous Army/Air co-operation exercise involving tactics for the new role of ATGM. The pilots are being imparted training including live firing to enhance their operational capabilities in this particular role and this process still continues, thereby keeping the unit in operational readiness at all times.

On 8 November 1988 at 0910 hrs, One-O-Four received the colours from the then President of Indian Sri R Venkatraman.

On 4 April 1990, the Unit shifted from Sarsawa to Batihnda and was re-equipped with the Mi-35, thus becoming a dedicated Attack Helicopter unit of the IAF. The Squadron was renamed as 104 Helicopter Squadron on 25 August 1992. The Squadron subsequently shifted from Bathinda to Suratgarh in May 1994.

At its inception, the Flight, started functioning with only two aircrew, one engineering officer and five technicians. This has grown to 20 aircrew, 04 engineering officer, 1 medical officer, 215 airmen and 22 NCs(E) on strength.

The squadron, which was raised on March 10, 1954 at Palam, Delhi heralded the Golden Jubilee year for the entire helicopter fleet in 2004. The celebrations included the release of a special postal cover. The release of the special postal cover was held at Suratgarh in Rajasthan. The special covers were specially designed and provided by the Army Postal Service to mark the occasion. The cover sports the awesome pair of two Mi-35 attack helicopters over the desert terrain with the squadron motto: Stalk, Strike, Survive in the foreground.

The chief guest of the function was Air Vice Marshal Sudhir Sah, Senior Officer-in-charge, Administration, Western Air Command, IAF who happens to be the seniormost helicopter pilot in the service. He has extensive flying experience on different types of helicopters in varied terrains across the country. The event was attended by Air Cmde BS Subhlok, the Commodore Commandant of the squadron and other dignitaries. As part of the program, a static display was organised to familiarise the guests with the attack helicopters and their ammunition.

The main attraction of the event was a sky-diving display by the Akashganga team of the IAF. The team comprised 13 members led by Wg Cdr Venkat, a veteran of several hundred jumps. The team executed flawless manoeuvres in the sky and made accurate pin-point landing onto the designated spots, right in front of a spellbound audience. Later, the invitees took part in a photo session with the squadron members and the Akashganga sky-diving team. The guests were conducted on the squadron museum and were given a presentation on the history of the squadron. This was followed by a lunch at the Officers' Mess.