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Squadron 15
"Lances"

The Squadron's crest of the "Flying Lances' signifies the characteristics of the Renowned Rajput soilder's valour of the Suryvanshi sect. The spearhead of the Rajput Defence was cavalry. The cavalry's main weapon in the attack phase was the Lance. The symbolises the attack that can strike at the enemy's heart. The famous Suryavanshi sect of the Rajputs also embellished their shields, helmets and standards with the image of the Sun. The Squadron crest therefore depicts the 'Lance' hence the name "Flying Lance". The background is provided by an image of the Sun which is a precious vedic symbol to the Rajput. The gold of the Sun signifies nobility and purity of purpose, while the shining steel of the spearhead depicts power. The wings of the 'Lances' added swiftness and mobility of the aerial aspect.

The Squadron motto 'NIHANTAVYA SHTRAVAHA' means "Annihilation the enemy'.

15 Squadron, Air Force was conceived in the Post-Independence era. The newly born country faced hostile neighbours on all the three sides and the erstwhile Royal Indian Air Force, inherited from the Britishers, was inadequate to guard the extended frontiers, so, the Government rightly sought to expand the fledging Air Force and thus the 'Fighting Fifteen' as the Squadron was called then, born.

15 Squadron, Air Force was formed on 20 August 1951 at Ambala. The Squadron was equipped with Spitfire MK-XVIII aircraft of the World War II fame, which were modified to carry out fighter-bomber operations despite the fact that they were originally fighters for Air Defence role only. The unit at the time of raising had ten aircraft and sixteen pilots. Having been tasked with the primary role of Ground Attack and interdiction, the Squadron took to Wings on 1 September 1951. Thereafter, the Squadron soon became operational and proved its mettle in the air by winning the 'Best-inn-Gunnery' trophy at Armament Training Wing in 1953. In 1953, the Squadron was number plated and all the Spit Fires were allotted to the newly formed Air Force Academy. Its establishment of personnel and assets were merged with No.1 Squadron equipped with the first jet fighter 'DE-Gavilland-Vampire' aircraft. The unit thus remained in a state of 'Otium-cum-Dignitate' 'Resting-in-dignity').

Having come a long way from the days of the Spit Fires, the Squadron was re-formed at Ambala on 26 November 1964, equipped with Folland Gnat aircraft. The Squadron was entrusted with the primary role of Air-Defence, in addition to Ground Attack, close Air Support and Anti-shipping roles.

15 Squadron was entrusted with Air Defence of Agra, during the 1965 operations, where it moved to man ORP as soon as the news of Pakistani incursions into Kutch came. The unit maintained almost round the clock vigil over Agra by carrying out a standing CAP and also Dawn to Dusk patrols. As the war progressed, eight aircraft of the Squadron were allotted to 23, 2 and 20 Squadrons. Having performed all the tasks entrusted to it, the Squadron moved back to Ambala after ceasefire.

Operating from Kalaikunda, Bomaby, Bagdogra and Ambala the unit confined itself to grooming the young pilots who were to put up a yeoman performance in the 1971 operations. Sqn Ldr HL Ford, Flt Cdr was awarded a Vayu Sena Medal for his proficiency and skill in leading the Iraqi Acrobatic Team. In April 1969, the unit moved to Bagdogra.

It was during the Indo-Pak war of 1971 that the Squadron was 'bloodied' at war. At the commencement of hostilities, the unit was based at Bagdogra and was employed in the Air Defence role. During the initial stages of the operations, the unit flew 26 CAP Missions and nine strike missions. A detachment of the Squadron was operating from Hashimara carrying out CAP in assistance to the Hunters of 37 and 17 Squadrons which were involved in deep penetration strikes. Also, the first CAS missions flown by the unit were from Hashimara on 6 December 1971. On December 7, the Squadron moved to Dum Dum, still manning detachments from Baghdogra and Hashimara. The IAF by then had achieved total Air superiority over East Pakistan with the Fighting Fifteen putting in their bit by being instrumental in disruption of enemy communication and logistics. On the 10th the unit had to man a 2-aircraft detachment at Agartala as well, and having moved there, Fifteen was the first fighter Squadron to operate from Agartala. The Squadron was tasked with CAS and Ground Attack Mission. Inspite of the unit's resources being stretched to the limit, all the tasks entrusted to the unit were achieved without any casualties or losses.

In 1973, the Squadron was inducted into the annals of aviation history when it was presented the crest by Air Marshal BC Dewan, PVSM, AOC-in-C, EAC, IAF on behalf of the President of India Shri VV Giri. The Squadron crest symbolises heroism and valour and the Squadron took the name of 'Flying Lances'. The Squadron stood first to Air to Ground Armament work and performed admirably in all the exercises and armament detachments.

In 1975, the Lances, moved to Pune and converted onto the supersonic MiG-21 Bis aircraft. The signified the dawn of a new era in the history of the Lancers, as having operated a piston engined type and a transonic, we had now graduated to the supersonic era. The Lances remained at Pune. In the year 1981, the Squadron moved to the south western sector. In 1983, the "Flying Lances" were the first MiG-21 Bis squadron in the Air Force to be modified for the Matra Magic R550, air to air missiles.

In 1994, in addition to its Air Defence and CAS roles, the Lances were entrusted with the FR role as well. The FR integration was carried out swiftly and the 'Lancers' achieved proficiency in not only Air Combat and Ground attack but also in Low Level FR. The Lancers achieved the distinction of nearly all pilots being fully operational and rated. Also the Lancers had of perhaps the youngest. Fully Ops pilots in the Air Force were trained in a record period of just 7 months. In October 1994, the Squadron won the over-all night trophy in the Inter Squadron Gunnery meet of SWAC, IAF.

On 26 October 1995, the squadron was awarded standards by the President of India Dr. SD Sharma at Jodhpur. With that the Lancers become one of the few squadrons in the IAF to be awarded Presidential Standards signifying excellence and meritorious service.