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Helicopter Unit 125
"Gladiators"

The Squadron insignia is the plan view of a MI-25/35 helicopter in a sky blue roundel. Within the roundel there are three triangle placed 120 apart. The plan view of the MI-25/35 helicopter shows the only Gunship of its kind in our Air Force. In its full quality with its complete load of missile launchers, rocket pods and the nose gun this helicopter is often referred to as a "flying tank". The sky blue roundel indicates the basic Air Force background. The colour symbolizes the vast skies, which are maintained and defended by the Air Force.

Thus, the insignia of MI-25/35 helicopter in a blue roundel with three red triangles fulfils the essential prerequisites of an insignia which not only highlights but also blends the three very essential things i.e. Squadron's primary role, the type of aircraft it is equipped with and Air Force/Army combination.

The scroll at the bottom of the crest, bear its motto in Sanskrit - "Sacrifice is the ornament of braves.

The Squadron formed on 1 November 1983. The Task of the Squadron at the time of its inception was to evaluate the aircraft for the various offensive roles. After comprehensive trails the Squadron was alloted the following primary and secondary roles:

Primary Roles
• Anti Tank
• Escort SHBO
• Assault operation
Secondry Roles
• Counter Insurgency/Infiltration
• SAR

With the induction of Mi-35 in 1990, the squadron became more efficient for its operational duties. The operational control of the Squadron was transferred and the Squadron was placed under an Army Corps HQs. During peace time, Admin control, Logistics and Maintainence support is provided by its respective Air Force. For operations the Squadron is under the operational and functional control of the Army Corps HQ and Northern Command.

Since its formation, the Squadron has been engaged in number of Army/Air Force exercises and operations like TRIDENT, ex- BRASSTACK-IV, OP PAWAN etc. In OP PAWAN the Squadron was deployed in Sri Lanka for two and half years from October 1987 to March 1990 as part of IPKF till its pull out. During OP PAWAN the Squadron carried out number of operational sorties which proved worthiness of Mi-25 as an AH. The operations also helped to formulate more roles of this helicopter.

The Squadron has been highly decorated within this short span of 14 years. The Squadron has been decorated with one Vr C, two YSMs, five VMs, three VSMs, Nine Commendations by the CAS and 13 Commendations by AOC-in-C, two Commendation by GOC-in-C and two mention in dispatches.