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Squadron 3
"Cobras"

The emblem of Squadron 3 shows a hand couped at the wrist holding a winged Dagger entwined by a Cobra. The emblem consists of: 1) The Dagger,signifying the best used weapon of NWFP from where the Sqn originated; 2) The Couped Hand symbolising the role played by the Sqn is holding the frontier; and 3) The Cobra signifying the aggressive fighting spirit of the Squadron.

Post independence, the unit's motto stands as "Laksh Vedh" or Destroy the target with precision.

No. 3 Fighter Squadron of the Indian Air Force was formed at Peshawar on 1 October 1941. The Squadron was raised as a result of the overall plan of expansion of the then Royal Indian Air Force in India. The initial role of the unit was fighter reconnaissance. The Squadron adopted the Cobra as its insignia.

Six Audax aircrafts, 78 airmen and eight officers formed the nucleus of the newly formed Squadron. Apart from the Commanding Officer, there were two Flying Officers, four Pilot Officers and one Flt Lt who acted as Adjutant. Shortage of personnel, equipment, working tools and other teething troubles which an infant Sqn faces, did not stand in the way of the Sqn taking to the air. By the end of October 1941 the Squadron had flown 75 hours of operationally orientd flying which included 05 hrs and 55 minutes of night flying, a precedent which was followed up in the years to come.