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Indian Naval Air Squadron (INAS) 552

Indian Naval Air Squadron (INAS) 552, fighter squandron of the Navy was commissioned in September 2005 by Mr SC Jamir, Governor of Goa. Mrs Alemla Jamir unveiled the plague to mark the commissioning of the INAS 552. This was indeed a proud moment for the Indian Navy and the Naval aviation is particular for realishing the long cherished dream of having its own naval fighter squadron.

On arrival, Mr SC Jamir was presented an immaculate guard of honour. Speaking on the occasion, the Governor emphasised the role of Armed Forces towards maintaining the the sovereignty of the country. He further stated that Indian Navy has been associated with Goa since Liberation and the capture of the Portuguese warship Albuquerque was a significant achievement. He added that the Naval Air Station INS Hansa has been the traditional cradle of the Naval aviation in India and it is only appropriate that fighter training squadron INAS 552 was being commissioned. Rear Admiral Shekhar Sinha, Foc, Goa Area welcomed the guests and said that the squadron has augmented the strength of "White Tigers" during various operations to ensure that the skies over the blue waters remain safeguarded. Chief Minister, Mr Pratapsing Rane and Mrs Vijayadevi Rane were among the other dignitaries present at the function. Later, a barakhana for the troops was organised to mark the occasion.

Indian Naval aviation, with a humble beginning with 6 sea and aircraft in 1953 got its first squadron, INAS 550, in 1959 and has now grown to 14 squadrons including the newly commissioned INAS 552. The origin of INAS 552 goes back to 1990 with the formation of Sea Harrier Operational Flying Training Unit within INAS 300, the frontline carrier borne fighter squadron. The Unit, since its inception had successfully undertaken the arduous task of training young pilots and converting them into professional carrier borne fighter pilots. Fifteen years since its inception, thirty Vertical Short Take Off and Landing (VSTOL) graduates have passed from the portals of the squadron.

Indian Naval Air Squadron (INAS) 552, the training squadron for jump jet Sea Harrier aircraft, was commissioned at the Indian Navy's premier air station, INS Hansa at Goa. The squadron was commissioned by Mr SC Jamir, Governor of Goa in the presence of Rear Admiral SK Sinha, FOC, Goa Area and Flag Officer, Naval Aviation. Cdr Shailender Singh was the first commanding officer of INAS 552. This is Navy's fourteenth air squadron to be commissioned.

Sea Harrier is a carrier based fighter aircraft capable of both maritime strike and air defence missions. It is an unconventional fighter aircraft capable of vertical or short take-off and landing. The complexity of the aircraft design demands intensive flying training in the squadron prior to undertaking tactical missions from the deck of an aircraft carrier.

In the earlier days, Royal Air Force in United Kingdom carried out Harrier conversion of pilots. To attain self-sufficiency in the field of fighter training, Indian Navy decided to conduct training of Sea Harrier pilots in India. Thus, Sea Harrier Operational Flying Training Unit (SHOFTU) was formed as a part of INAS 300 on April 16, 1990. In 1991, shoftu was conjoined as a separate flight into the existing Kiran Training Squadron, INAS 551.

Indian Naval Air Squadron 552 would operate as an independent training unit to convert young pilots into carrier-borne fighter pilots.