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Helicopter Unit 110
"Vanguards"

The five blades on the crest not only signify the strength of machine we fly but also indicate the multitude of tasks that the unit performs. The background portrays the diversity of operation at tasks that we undertake. Slicing the air from the Bay of Bengal to the plains of the Ganges and finally on to the challenging valleys of high headed Himalayans ranges in the Far East, the VANGUARDS move with the ease of a veteran and spirit of a fearless aviator.

A peek into the blazing history of these diehard peacekeepers of the east can make big stories of courage and valour look like a preacher's tale.

The unit was raised at Tezpur with MI-4 helicopters on 10 Aug 1963. After its formation, a detachment of MI-4 helicopter was maintained at Kumbhirgram airfield to support the security forces against mizo insurgents. The airfield at Kumbhirgram was constructed in the year 1944 during World War II and No. 1 and No. 7 Squadron moved to Kumbhirgram. During this period Squadron Ldr Arjun Singh was decorated with DFC (Distinguish Flying Cross) for offensive against Japanese forces. In March 1966, No. 403 Air Force Station was formed at Kumbhirgram. After three years of formation of Air Force Station Kumbhirgram, 110 HU moved in to the station from Tezpur on 8 September 1969.

During the 1965 operations, 110 HU provided logistic support to Indian Army in the Eastern theatre and on 3 March 1965 troops were inducted in Aizwal while it was being besieged by hostile elements. Again in 1969-70 the unit flew in operations against insurgents in Mizoram. During the 1971 Indo Pak, Hunter aircraft of 49 Squadron flew 49 closed Air Support missions sorties and Gnat aircraft of 24 Squadron close Air Support missions sorties from Kumbhirgram. 110 HU flew 409 sorties during the war for liberation of Bangladesh. 110 HU flew with 99 Arty Bgde and enabled the troops to reach Decca within 12 days. Four special heliborne operations were carried out to Sylhet, Raipura, Narsinghai and Vaidali Bazar. In the years 1973-75 and 1976, 110 HU undertook flood relief operations at Tripura, Manipur and Mizoram with the MI-4 helicopters. The unit also operated for flood relief operations in Orissa in 1979.

The MI-4 helicopter was flown for 18 years by 110 HU in various operations within the country and as well in neighbouring countries for different missions. In 1981, this unit was equipped with MI-8 helicopters. The basic role assigned to the unit was air maintenance for Army paramilitary force in Nagaland, Mizoram, Tripura and Manipur. In addition to this the unit was tasked with: SHBO; CAS EVAC; Communication sorties for Air Force, Army, Paramilitary forces and Govt. of Mizo, Nagaland, Assam, Tripura and Arunachal Pradesh; VVIP/VIP Commitments; and Aid to civil power wherever called upon.

In 1981, equipment and stores of National Hydel Project Corporation were airlifted to Bhairabi in Mizoram. In the month of Dec 1981, during emergency in Mizoram the unit participated in Op `JIM-JAM'. A total of 368 sorties were carried out towards airdrop, reconnaissance, communication, troops induction and casualty evacuation for military and paramilitary forces. In 1988, 110 HU had sent its aircraft to Sri Lanka in Op`PAWAN', where it flew extensively for various missions in support of IPKF. In the very next year, in 1989-90, its undertook flood relief operations in Bangladesh, Tripura and Assam.

No. 403 Air Force Station was upgraded to 22 Wing, AF and the station celebrated its Silver Jubilee in 1991. In the same year the unit was involved once again in relief operation when Cyclone had hit Bangladesh. In 1992, the 110 HU actively involved itself in operation `HAMMER' with the Army and Paramilitary forces. Four helicopters took part in the operation from a disused airfield in Palel. In the early nineties, three unit helicopters were involved in Op `SURAJ,Op MALAR' and `Op RAJAT' from Chakabama. In 1995 it got involved in Op `GOLDEN BIRD' with 4 helicopters. Also, in the same year, it undertook land slides and flood relief operation at Mizoram. From 23 to 26 July 1996, the unit carried out flood relief operations in West Bengal where it flew 124 sorties on 104 hrs and dropped 107 tones of load. In 1996 the unit took part in Ops `VAJRA'. The unit has been ever since actively participating in the CI operations in the Far East. Notable amongst them are Op `ASHOK' in April 1997 in Meghalaya and Op `TIGER LEECH' in March 1998 in the Manipur and Mizoram sector. The unit also flew for flood relief operations in Purnia in September 1998.