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Squadron 7
"Battle-Axes"

It was in the autumn of 1960 that the "Battle-axe" logo was approved by airforce heraldic committee. Although No 7 Squadron had been (unofficially) using this for years and wore it proudly on their flying suits. Mythology has it that the Battle-Axe (or "Farsha" as it is known in Sanskrit) was the choice weapon of Parshuram. Parshuram was one of the few Brahmin 'Guru' who were also masters of hand to hand combat. He was considered at par with Dronacharya, The Guru who instructed the Pandavas in the epic of the Mahabharat. Karan, half brother of Pandavas took instruction in weaponry from Parshuram, a disciple of lord Shiva and was known to have trible temper, having lost his father to the evil "Asuras". Prashuram in his anger got rid off from "Kshatriya", the martial races of the earth, seven times over. The farsha or "Battle-Axes" was known to have super natural powers. It had four cutting edges, one on each end of the blade head and one on each end of the shaft. The farsha was also known as the most lethal close combat weapon of the epics.

No. 7 Squadron 'Battle -Axes' emblem had two unfolded wings adorning the weapon and the symbolic number seven attached to the shaft. Below this crest, on a scroll were the letters "Shatrunjay" or simply " Vanquish the enemy". This logo was officially approved by President on 26th Septeber 1960, and has adorned aircraft that No. 7 Squadron has flown since and proudly is worn by all officers and men of the Squadron.

No. 7 Squadron (BATTLE-AXES) was formed in December 1942 at Vizagapatnam, and was equipped with Vultee Vengeance dive bomber. Initial personnel were drawn from No. 104 General Reconnaissance and 353 Squadron of RAF plus No. 3 (Calcutta) and No. 6 (Vizagapatnam) Cost Defence Flight, under Air Headquarters formation, order 268 of 19 November 1942.

As part of the Waziristan Operation, to quell the uprising of tribesman of NWFP(North Western Frontier Province), the Squadron was first assigned operational task of bombing. On 3 December 1943, reconnaissance flights were carried out. This was followed with bombing by two aircraft element of Vengeance. Squadron carried out bombing and strafing with exceptional accuracy although it was newly equipped with Vengeance dive bomber.

As part of Burma Operation in 1944, the squadron was placed on operational readiness on 4 March 1944. On 28 March 1944, a six aircraft formation carried out their first bombing strike. In a period of first three days, thirty four bombing sorties were carried out with devasting accuracy. During the next month, tactical and strategic targets were engaged with precise bombing and strafing. The Squadron continued operating from the Kutcha airstrips in rain and slush under adverse condition and still flew 1400 hrs operational flying. This tremendous flying efforts maximum in its group commended by AOC 221 group.

After successful complition of operation on Chindwin front the squadron moved to Imphal front. Operating from Sin, the Air Strip near Imphal, the Squadron flew 1200 hrs of operational flying in span of two months. This consisted of bombing, strafing, fighter reconnaissance and message dropping. Once again Squadron flew maximum in its group.

During the Kashmir Operations of 1948-49, and equipped with spitfire, the Squadron flew 600 operation hours inspite of the adverse weather in the valley, poor servicing facilities and poor living conditions. During these operation the squadron continuously bombed, strafed, and fired rockets.

During the Indo-Pak Operations of 1965, the squadron destroyed two sabres in aerial combat. In air to ground missions, the squadron destroyed/damaged numerous bridges, tanks and gun positions. The squadron flew 437 operational missions maintaining a record serviceability of over 90% throught the period. This serviceability was maintained despite heavy rectifications required due to battle damage. For its impressive record in the air as well as on ground, the squadron received commendations from the Prime Minister Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri, the Defence Minister Shri YB Chavan and Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Arjan Singh.

At the outbreak of the Indo-Pak Operation of 1971, the squadron was at Bagdogra and flew 40 missions of offensive air support and counter air support in three days on Hunter aircraft. Subsequently, the squadron moved to the Western front where it remained until the cease-fire, thus gaining the unique distinction of operating on both eastern as well as western fronts. The squadron largely flew close support air missions for the Army, in addition to conducting strike sorties over PAF bases and important installations; missions which were carried out with good results.

During 1987 Operations in Sri Lanka, the squadron was once again entrusted with the task of escorting transport aircraft in ex Poomalai in June 1987. Five AN-32s carrying food and relief supplies for the besieged tamil people at Jaffna were escorted all the way up to Jaffna. The ground and air opposition was encountered and all the air craft returned safely.

In November 1988, the Maldives state Government was under threat from Tamil Guerillas. Overnight, the Squadron flew to a base in the Southern part of the country to be on stand-by to provide support to the Maldives Government. On 4 November 1988, two aircraft formations made a pass over Hulule Airport in the Maldives as a show of force and moral booster for the besieged government. However, the need for the actual operation did not arise.