Helicopter Unit 109
"Knights"
One Zero Nine was awarded a crest, with a motto 'APATSU MITRAM'. The motto means 'a friend to those in distress'. The unit insignia signifies the embodiment of service on land, sea and in air, with the rotors trisecting the crest depicting the prominence of helicopter in all three areas. The mountains in the background signify the area where helicopters are the only aircraft which can been used in a variety of roles.
The unit came into being on August 26, 1961.
The year 1962 found the unit maintaining a two aircraft detachment under HQ EAC. Extensive casualty evacuation and supply dropping missions were undertaken in the Spiti valley.
During the 1963-1965 period, the unit was employed in multiple role which included among other things the tasks of flying for the Border Roads Development for the construction of mountain roads in the difficult terrain of the North East.
In August 1963, Jagahri, a developing town in Western Uttar Pradesh, was ravaged by floods. The unit broughgt relief to the distressed citizens.
In January 1964 riots broke out in Srinagar. The unit flew hordes of security men into sensitive areas in the valley and patrolled the skies keeping vigil for signs of imminent trouble. Even as all this was happening, the unit regularly took part in Republic Day fly pasts, in Delhi besides being ever ready to rush to the Sugar Sector.
In the month of March 1965, unit aircraft commenced operations from the ALG at Gujrat. Amidst difficult operating conditions for man and machine, border reconnaissance and casualty evacuation were carried out in the Rann of Kutch area. In July 1965, a massive air drop of food and supplies was carried out for marooned troops in the area. On 15 August 1965, a detachment of six helicopters was positioned at Jammu for operations, wherein they flew in the Pathankot and Chhamb-Jaurain sector. On 21 August 1965, that detachment was moved from Jammu to Srinagar for the duration of the war where they were modified for bombing operations. During the operations, the unit flew a total of 225 sorties in varied roles like bombing, strafing, casualty evacuation, supply dropping, reconnaissance and communication.
After the 1965 war, the unit went into action again this time in the Eastern Sector. Four helicopters were flown to Mizoram in 1966 to take part in the Mizo Hills operations. A detachment from One Zero Nine was simultaneously maintained at Jodhpur for operational commitments.
On 10 April 1967, the unit moved from Chandigarh to Jammu leaving a detachment for operations in the Sugar sector.
In the first week of December 1971, The helicopters of 109 HU were the first to land at Jaurian and lift out the first batch of casualties. The unit flew a total of 315 hours during the Ops, and lifted out a total of 468 casualties directly from the battle zones, under enemy fire.
As is inevitable after a major conflict, the gaps in the border security had to be plugged and sealed. One Zero Nine played a vital role by assisting the Army in their bid to reorganise and recoup. The need for having a larger special Heliborne Assault Force was felt and One Zero Nine was selected for training the infantry units as a special heliborne assault force. Towards this effect the need for a higher performance aircraft was acknowledged and thus on 11 January 1974 the unit was re-equipped with MI-8 helicopters.
In January 1975 a sudden earthquake hit certain areas of Himachal Pradesh. One Zero Nine went airborne to bring relief to the areas despite bad weather. The unit was the proud recipient of the Best Categorised Helicopter Unit Trophy in 1978.
Moving to Hindon in 1979, the unit became very actively involved in participating in Army exercises for the SHBO role, air maintenance flood relief, aid to civil power and VVIP commitments, and once a heroic rescue of civilians from a towering inferno in New Delhi. The unit had the proud distinction of flying the presidents of Zambia, Maxico, Australia, Solomon Islands, Denmark and the crown Prince of Jordan on various occasions.
The unit then became involved in operations in one of the most unforgiving terrains in the world, 'The Siachen Glacier'. In June 1981 the unit took up supply drops at DZs located at 5 km AMSL and above. The unit surpassed itself when, in June 84, the CO landed at 5.2 km, firmly establishing the MI-8 as the worlds most versatile helicopter. From September 1984 onwards, the unit pilots were operating regularly over the Glacier. Landings were routinely carried out at apparently postage stamp sized helipads ranging from 4.5 kms to 5.2 kms.
When tragedy struck at Bhopal in December 1984 as a result of an all consuming gas leak, the unit was called upon provide relief.
After a year and a half in the Siachen area, the task was handed over to the MI-17s.
In 1986, incidents of Chinese intrusion took place in the north eastern parts of the country. 109 HU took part in 'OP FALCON' under difficult conditions of terrain and weather, streamlining the operation and giving the impetus to sustain the army.
The unit moved to Sulur on 4 June 1987. It was later re-christened as 'The Knights'.
In Sri Lanka, during the Jaffna Episode, one of the counruy's biggest helicopter supported operations was launched. On the October 10-11, the Knights toiled all day and night positioning troops around Jaffna town despite orders to the LTTE cadres to shoot down all helicopters. On the night of October the eleventh, a massive special Heliborne Operation was planned. The aim of the mission was to induct 120 Para-Commandos and 400 troops of a Sikh Light Infantry Battalion right into the strong hold of the LTTE during the dark hours of the night. The helicopters were rendered vulnerable with low clouds down to 200 meters. As the first wave approached the target, the militants opened fire. Even at this critical juncture, the brave Knights were concentrating on their flying, looking for obstructions on approach. In spite of heavy ground fire from the LTTE, wave after wave of MI-8's kept coming in, until most of the machines were rendered unfit for flying.
Due to the inaccessibility of the forward positions the MI-8s became the lifeline for the fighting troops. More than eighty sorties a day were flown down to dusk.
In August 1988, "Operation Checkmate" was launched in the dense jungles of Vavunia.. Landings were carried out in the jungles in unimaginable places while causalities were winched up. Strafing and air to ground rocket firing were also carried out with pinpoint accuracy.
On 29 December 1988 the Knights deployed to the Island of Male. For over three hours they flew over sea without any navigational aid. On reaching Male, the Knights discharged Indian Army troops into strategic positions and flew reconnaissance sorties. They returned home on 3 January 1989.
The unit was adjudged as the Best Helicopter Unit of the Indian Air Force for the year 1989. In recognition of their record of achievements, the Knights earned the Presidents standard on 2 August 1991 in a ceremony held at No. 2 Wg AF.
During the 1991-1998 period, the unit carried out multiple roles involving VVIP/VIP, logistic support, Aid to civil power, SAR, SHBO and Air Sea Search and rescue training apart from cyclone relief at Vijaywada and Nellore, flood relief at Trivandrum and earthquake relief operations at Nellore. The unit also been trained commandos and other infantry units in slithering and participated in various exercises.
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