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Yelahanka Airbase (Bangalore)

Training a transport pilot and keeping him trained is a painstaking, time-consuming and expensive process. More than the practical aspects, framing of syllabus and regimen in itself is a herculean exercise. But this is very essential to bring in standardisation and to achieve proficiency. The Fixed Wing Training Faculty (FWTF) at Air Force Station, Yelahanka has been performing this arduous task for many years.

Initially formed as a conversion and training squadron at Agra in 1948, the unit moved over to Begumpet in 1957 and was renamed as Transport Training Wing (TTW). In 1963 after the Sino -Indian conflict, the necessity for expanding training on transport aircraft became imperative. To facilitate this requirement; existing TTW was retained at Begumpet and No.2 TTW was established at Yelahanka, a suburb of Bangalore. Here, an airfield of world war II vintage was already in existence. This deserted airfield was recommissioned after necessary repairs on August I, 1963 and began functioning under the command of Gp Capt PL Dhawan.

Within two months of its recommissioning, the Wing commenced its onerous task of training transport pilots and by the end of the year, the first batch of transport pilots graduated. On January 1, 1968 both the TTW s were merged to form a single TTW at Yelahanka. Later, TTWs was renamed as Air Force Station, Yelahanka.

The main role of this station is to impart flying training to ab-initio pilots and convert them into full- fledged transport pilots to man the frontline transport squadrons of the IAF .This station also conducts type- conversion of navigators on AN-32. Exhibition formation fly-pasts during passing-out parades at premier training institutions such as Air Force Academy and Air Force Technical College are carried out routinely. In addition, the station undertakes logistics support tasks allotted by Air HQs and HQ TC.

The Air Force Station, Yelahanka has many achievement to its credit. In the year 1964, the Dakota aircraft of this formation carried out countless sorties of reconnaissance, supply dropping and casualty evacuation in the disaster-hit areas of Dhanushkoti and Rameshwaram. One Dakota aircraft of this Wing participated in the sacred task of scattering the ashes of the late Prime Minister Mr Jawaharlal Nehru, as per his last will and testament.

During Indo-Pak war, 1965 all the Dakotas of this Wing were converted for operational tasks overnight to eventually playa significant role in the war. Gp Capt IS Lazaro, the then Station Commander, 26 officers and 133 airmen participated. Fifty sorties were carried out for the movement of troops and transportation of arms, ammunition and spares.

During the 1971 operation, this Wing once again completed all the tasks allotted in the most efficient manner. Well before the actual hostilities broke out, the Wing started its transport support role in full earnest and ensured that all necessary equipment was available in time. During this period, 481 sorties of 2249 hours were flown and 25 tonnes of urgently required cargo was airlifted.

A six -aircraft detachment undertook paradrop operations near Dhaka. A total of 100 hours were flown. A total of 114 troops with 3 tonnes of allied equipment were paradropped. The detachment also undertook the task of airlifting refugees. The Wing aircraft also operated from Hakimpet airbase from November 8 to 16, 1971. A detachment also operated from Tambaram, Chennai for reconnaissance duties along the East Coast. In just a week, the detachment flew 666 hours airlifting 1713 personnel and 7 tonnes of cargo. It also formed a major segment of the task force assembled at Bihta for the historical Tangail drop.

During the year 2000, the station achieved the distinct honour of training 40 pilots and 19 navigators by flying over 1600 hours on AN-32 and 2400 hours on Dornier. FWTF also conducted No.1 RHSCP Conversion Course for the first time in the history of the IAF. The station participated in the Kargil operations airlifting valuable and urgently required personnel, arm's, ammunition and food supplies as well as conducting life saving casualty evacuation sorties. This Wing also formed a part of the contingent carrying out flood relief operations in Orissa and Nag pur recently.