Squadron 43
"Nabhasa Jivan Dhara"
The crest of 43 Squadron was approved on 9 April 1962. The squadron crest consists of the squadron emblem an Ibex head on a Chinar leaf. The Ashoka seal is placed on top.
The squadron was stationed in Jammu & Kashmir from Apilr 1960 to September 1965 and the emblem was aptly chosen as the Ibex, a mountain goat found in the J&K region, symbolizing the activities of the Squadron similar to that of the Ibex which is undeterred by the jagged rocks, steep clif, inhospitable terrain and forbidding snow of the challenging Himalayas.
The squadron motto was modestly coined as "NABHSA JEEVAN DHARA" i.e. a life line through the sky symbolizing the deeds of valour of the gallant "Ibexes" in the 62,65, 71 conflicts, later in erstwhile NEFA, IPKF operations in Sri Lanka and present day Arunachal Pradesh.
Ask any naturalist and you will be told that IBEX is a creature with four legs and two horns, nearly extinct in the Indian Himalayas - but ask any one in Upper Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland and they will tell that the IBEXEX are a two legged- upright breed far from extinction, who are apparently made up of stamina, guts and cocktail with their hide-out in Jorhat. The IBEXES greed the rising Sun in their blues, spend the day flitting in and out of the misty mountains in their magnificent flying machines, set the evenings on fire with their screeching cries and live up to the Air Force motto to "TOUCH THE SKY WITH GLORY".
The chequered history of the IBEXES dates back to 20 January 1958 when it was first formed at Barrackpore. The squadron was then equipped with Dakotas fondly nicknamed as the "GOONEY BIRD". The squadron chose for its emblem the IBEX, which is undeterred by the jagged rocks, steep cliffs, inhospitable terrain and forbidding shows of the challenging Himalayas. For its motto, the squadron chose 'NABH SA JEEVAN DHARA" LITERALLY MEANING "A LIFELINE THROUGH THE SKIES" and that is what it always was and still is to the people in the remote hills or trapped by natural calamities.
In no time after its birth, the IBEXES were swinging in the mountains. A detachment was sent to Jammu & Kashmir. The squadron made Srinagar and Jammu its summer and winter bases respectively. The squadron was given MK IV DAKOTA soon after. The MK IV DAKOTA had certain useful modifications, which made it capable of operating at high altitudes in Jammu & Kashmir, where the squadron helped to maintain the Himalayan Airlift.
In May 1961, the squadron had its first patch to bad luck. An aircraft captained by Flt Lt BK Deseares crashed in one of the most inhospitable terrains while on an Air dropping mission. Flt Lt Deseares had a miraculous escape and inspite of being injured exhibited exemplary courage in helping to save the life of his crew, Fg Offr YD Chadha. His bravery earned him the ASHOKA CHAKRA II.
As a prelude to the 1965 operations, the squadron was entrusted with special operational sorties and undertook special flights to transport captured arms, ammunition and armed infiltrators. On 6 September 1965, the squadron had its first direct encounter with the enemy. Three aircraft took off from Amritsar in the evening with for Hunter escorts when they were attacked by a formation of four Sabres and a B-57 bomber. The Hunters latched on the Sabres. The B-57 got a chance and fired at the last DAKOTA, which was still on the ground about to take off. The DAKOTA was not hit and got airborne safely. Throughout the war the squadron worked in top gear flying from dusk to dawn at low level with no radio navigational aids. Soon after the war the squadron moved to Sarsawa, near Saharanpur.
In 1967, KALINGA AIRWAS stopped their flying operations in Assam and the Government of India entrusted the task of Air maintenance in NEFA to 43 squadron. The squadron shifted to in UPPER ASSAM in June 1967. The new job was a tricky one but was soon learnt and mastered. The DAKOTA stood the test of time and soon became a common sight in the skies of Assam. It became the lifeline to the people living in the remotest hill villages and the soldiers who maintain a constant vigil on the Eastern Boarders.
In the same year, the squadron had another incident. During a tactical mission from Dibrugarh to Jorhat, one of the propellers of the aircraft flew off. The pilot, using his skill and aided by some good luck landed his bird on the soft riverbank of the Brahamputra. The crew did not suffer a scratch.
The 1971 Indo-Pak operations saw the IBEXES back in action. They formed the 'K' Flight of the Mukti Bahini and carried out clandestine operations. The finale of airtransported operations culminated in the 'Tangail Drop', in which the IBEXES were represented by a formation of six aeroplanes. The 'Tangail Drop' was a classic of airborne assault operations and greatly contributed to the early surrender of the Pakistani Forces in east Pakistan. The Jorhat Station Commander got a Mahavir Chakra and Squadron Ldr SK Chaudhary got a Vir Chakra for their courageous contribution during this period.
By then, the GOONEY BIRD was 40 years old and had outlived its first pilots, outflown their sons and outlasted their grandsons. The technical staff often had to work in three shifts to keep the "Old Ladies" flying fit. Despite the odds, the squadron was able to achieve 100% serviceability and put all aeroplanes in the air on 1 March 1984 and again on 18 March 1984. On 31 Mar 1985, the last DAKOTA of the squadron was flown out ceremoniously to mark the end of a chapter in the history of the squadron.
It was replaced by the AN-32 nicknamed SUTLUJ. The first batch of three shining new SUTLUJ aircraft arrived on 18 September 1984. Once again, the IBEXES put their heads down and got on to the task of evolving operational flying techniques and laying down the procedures to adapt the new machine to its new environment. The squadron became fully operational in a short time and since then has been doing a commendable job in carrying out its allotted task.
In July 1987, the IBEXES swung into action in support of the IPKF in Srilanka. It flew day and night under adverse conditions transporting troops, arms and ammunition, vehicles and provided valuable logistic support.
In November 1988, the IBEXES took part in the "Male Operations" again mercenaries. For three days the entire squadron fleet was flying non-stop supporting the Indian Army for their various operational requirements.
Amidst anxiety and excitement arrived 10 March 1992, the proudest moment in the history of the IBEXES - the award of the PRESIDENT'S STANDARDS'. At 1030 sharp, after a smart parade, the President of India, Shri R Venkatraman presented colours to the IBEXES.
June 1993 saw the squadron busy with para exercise Bramahseersh ex Agra, while the exercise Purvi Akash kept it busy throughout the month of January 1994. To commemorate the 50th Anniversary of World War, a flypast was held in Aizwal on 29 Nov 1995 in which 43 squadron was a proud participant. The squadron also maintains a well furnished VIP role modified aircraft on its strength for communication duties.
The squadron has earned one Ashoka Chakra, one Shaurya Chakra, one Vir Chakra and 20 Vayu Sena Medals.
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