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Helicopter Unit 105
"Golden Eagles"

105 Helicopter Unit is the second oldest Helicopter Unit of the Indian Air Force. The unit formed at Jorhat on 23 November 1959, was equipped with Mi-4 helicopters and moved to Air Force Station Gorakhpur on 3 August 1987. Besides, communication, Logistics and reconnaissance unit also carries out SHBO and VIP task.

During the Indo-China conflict of 1962, the unit operated along the border from Bhutan to Burma and during this operation the unit was awarded the first of its Gallantry awards. During Indo-Pak conflict of 1965 the unit was operating from Kumbhigram to Agartala and carried out all assigned tasks inspite of adverse weather conditions and enemy fire.

During 1971 Indo-Pak war the unit undertook the oldest tasks ever recorded in the annals of modern aviation, by air landing 6023 troops and 55000 Kgs of military hardware around Dacca, during day and night, under adverse weather conditions. During the "Jungle Jim' operations at Cox's Bazar, the unit carried out air landing of rations at forward helipads for the Indian Army and Bangladesh Rifles. A total of 152:00 hrs were flown and airlifted 94972 Kgs of load and 317 passengers.

In 1974-75 the unit was extensively involved in the anti insurgency operations in Nagaland. In 1985-86 during the Chinese ingress in to the Subansari and Siang Sectors of Arunanchal Pradesh (Namely Tawang, Kibitoo, Maza region) the unit moved to Gorakhpur in 1987, a few MI-8 helicopters along with crew of the unit took part in "Op Pawan", in Srilanka during 1987-88.

The unit has carried out many mercy mission as well as aid to civil power. Extensive flood relief operations were carried out in West Bengal in 1976 as well as in many places of Bihar. Immediately after moving to Gorakhpur the unit carried out extensive flood relief operation in Bihar. Again in 1991, the unit carried out flood relief operations in Orissa Ex-Bhubaneswar. The unit has also carried out Ex-Frog i.e. Flood Relief and rescue Operations in Gorakhpur and Bihar.

The unit was awarded 01 Vr C, 01 VM and 01 VSM during 1962 Ops. During 1971 OPs the unit was awarded 01 VSM 01 VM. In 1974-75 counter Insurgency operations the unit was awarded 03 VMs.