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Helicopter Unit 130
"Condors"

The unit crest depicts the largest living bird in the world i.e. Condor and the motto "WE SUPPORT LIFE". 130 HU is actively involved in air maintenance at the world's highest battlefield, Siachen Glacier, where the whole lifeline of the troops depends on the air effort. Majority of this is carried out by condors, rightly upholding their motto to effortlessly achieve where others have tried hard but failed.

The CONDOR is a bird with a weight of about 26 lbs & a span of upto 125 inches. Found in the mountains of Southern California, it is one of the North America's rarest species. From its high perch in the hills, it roars on its stretched pinions and swoops down on carrion. The flight of Condor is a sight to behold as it gracefully and powerfully roars out its stretching pinions.

With the ever-expanding role of the INDIAN ARMY in the snow bound and hilly areas of Kashmir and Laddakh, and especially in the Op Meghdoot sector, there was an urgent to base a dedicated medium lift helicopter unit in this area. Thus, 130 Helicopter Unit - 'THE CONDORS' - was formed on 15 February 1988 at 23 Wing, AF.

The unit was to comprise of 10 MI-17 helicopters of which, the first batch of five helicopters was ferried in from Bombay on 21 February 1988. The unit was inducted into its first operational commitment viz. Ex HAMMER BLOW on 22 February 1988.

The Primary role of the unit since its inception has been of Air Support towards Op Meghdoot. However, in addition, the unit has been called upon to undertake varying tasks viz. SHBO, Flood and Relief & causality evacuation.

The unit is primarily engaged in Op Meghdoot every alternate month. The role is of logistic support to the army deployed in and around the Siachen Glacier area. All posts in this area are maintained by the unit aircraft. By and large, the load is para dropped. Ration and ammunitions forms crux of the load. It is, while delivering this load that the skill of the pilots comes into play. In these, high altitude dropping zones or 'DZs' the load is to be dropped safely and accurately for easy retrieval. Apart from forming a life-line to the men up in the Glacier, the flying machines of this unit help to provide a great psychological boost to the soldiers in that in hospitable terrain.

Besides the elevation, the glacier itself is one of the most inhospitable kinds of terrain. The area is marked by crevices, uneven terrain which, apart from appearing sinister, underline a very threat to one's survival in case of forced landing. The extreme of elevation, temperature and pressure require from a pilot care and skill of very order in handling the machine. Judgement and precise decisions in evaluating, and subsequently accepting/rejecting one's own capabilities vis-à-vis weather, take-off/landing at these places, with the helicopter loaded upto its maximum limitations, require deft and smooth handling of the flying machine.

The unit has been operating a three aircraft detachment Ex Thoise every alternate month since April 1988. It also undertook three aircraft detachment from Base Camp II from March 1988 to September 1988.

The unit has performed creditably in its primary role for Op Meghdoot, flying more than 50% of its hrs in Op Meghdoot.