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Squadron 6
"Dragons"

The Squadron being a dedicated maritime reconnaissance Squadron was given a new emblem depicting a Sea Dragon signifying flying over the sea. The Squadron has always lived upto its motto "Sada Satark" which means "Ever Alert".

No. 6 Squadron was formed on 1 December 1942 at Trichinapally. The Squadron took final shape at Bhopal in March 1943, with and aircraft establishments of 15 Hurricanes. In 1943, the role assigned was Tactical reconnaissance, message dropping, contact reconnaissance and air to ground firing.

The Squadron had its first taste of operations in November 1943 itself. The Squadron took part in army cooperation exercises and flew 350 operational hours in a short span of 18 days in areas comprising Naungdaung, Razabin and Judian on the Burmese coast and areas in the May and Kalden valley during EX TRUMP and EX FOG. In November 1943, the Squadron was assigned to XV Corps on the Arakan front and operating from Cox's Bazaar. From 13 November 1943 to the end of February 1944, the Squadron carried out 1000 operational sorties totalling 1350 hrs, the highest recorded by any allied Squadron in the third Tactical Air Force.

During March 1944, the Squadron took part in the battle of Buthidwang, maintaining close contact with the Army and successfully carrying out offensive patrols and photo recce sorties. In May 1944, the Squadron moved to Cox's Bazaar. For its part in Ex FOG, the Squadron was commended by the then AOC 225 Group for its efficiency, enthusiasm excellent maintenance record and good discipline.

During the days of the Second World War, the Squadron was led brilliantly by Squadron Ldr Mehar Singh, whose name became a legend in the Indian Air Force. He was awarded the DSO, a unique and well deserved distinction for an Indian Officer. Also, Flying Officer JD Acquino and Pilot Officer Blunt were commended by the then AOC and Flt Lt JC Verma was awarded the DFC. By mid-1946, the Squadron was re-equipped with Spitfire Mk XIV E in fighter recce role.

In April 1947, the Squadron was moved from Ranchi to Karachi for re-equipment with Dakota aircraft and a new role of tactical transport support. With the dawn of Independence the Squadron assets were divided in a ratio of 2:1. These assets were there - after merged with the assets of 12 Squadron to make a composite Squadron and 6 Squadron was temporarily number-plated.

Following a few years of obscurity the Squadron was reformed on 1 January 1951 at pune with a fleet of Liberators with Maritime Recce and Air Sea Rescue as its role. Squadron Ldr HSK Gohel was given Command of the Squadron.

In October 1961, the Squadron acquired a fleet of 9 Superconstellation aircraft and was given and added role of transport support.

During December 1961, Squadron took part in operation Vijay.

During the 1962 Chinese aggressions, the Squadron operated from various unused air strips for trasportation of troops and equipment and during Kutch operations in 1965, the Liberators and Supercontellations were utilised for Naval tasks, such as searching the surrounding seas for intruding Pakistani ships and submarines. During this operation the Liberators were used in maritime reconnaissance and Superconstellations in transport support roles. The Liberators patrolled the West Coast from Okha to Cochin. The superconstellations were used for transportation of casualties, medical support equipment and troops.

On numerous occasions, the Squadron aided the civil authorities in flood relief and troop movement operations. In addition, the Squadron played a Key role in air-sea search and rescue of sea-men in distress.

Upon the break-out of hostilities in 1971, the Squadron was extensively used for maritime reconnaissance operations.

The Squadron was re-equipped with Canberra the interdictor aircraft in January 1972. It was the begining of a new era for the Squadron, from a passive role of maritime reconnaissance. It was now assigned the active role of maritime strike.

In addition to the maritime strike and trasport support roles, the Squadron was tasked to carry out Target Towing Operations for the Army and Navy. For this purpose five additional Canberra Mk TT - 418 aircraft were added to the establishment of the Squadron in July 1979. It thus became the second Squadron in the world, the first being the RAF Squadron, to operate this type of aircraft.

In June 1987, a small but potent force of 6 Jaguar aircraft joined the Squadron and eventually took over the role of maritime strikes by day and night. Once the Jaguar flight was fully operational in its role, the Canberra op role of maritime strike was deleted, thus limiting its roles of Target, Bombing and Type Training. The initial 6 Jaguars were fitted with Agave radar and DARIN system, which were subsequently enhanced by two more DARIN strike Jaguars . The Canberra bid good bye to 6 Squadron and Pune on 15 June 1992 and with the ouster of Canberra aircraft, the second flight of the Squadron was re-equipped with strike variant Jaguar aircraft and an additional role of counter air operations was assigned.