No. 77 Squadron IAF

2023-04-16T06:15:45Z

2401:4900:55A6:BD07:3C2B:59B8:6EC3:D101:

{{Infobox military unit
|unit_name= No. 77 Squadron
|image=
|caption=
|dates= 05 February 2011 - Present
|country=India
|allegiance=
|branch=
|type=
|role=[[Special Air Operations]]
|size=
|command_structure=
|garrison=[[Hindon Air Force Station|Hindon AFS]]
|garrison_label=
|nickname="Veiled Vipers"
|patron=
|motto=''strike to kill''
|colors=
|colors_label=
|march=
|mascot=
|equipment=
|equipment_label=
|battles=
|anniversaries=
|decorations=
|battle_honours=
|disbanded=

|commander1=
|commander1_label=
|commander2=
|commander2_label=
|commander3=
|commander3_label=
|notable_commanders=

|identification_symbol=
|identification_symbol_label=
|identification_symbol_2=
|identification_symbol_2_label=

|aircraft_attack=
|aircraft_bomber=
|aircraft_electronic=
|aircraft_fighter=
|aircraft_recon=
|aircraft_trainer=
|aircraft_transport=[[Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules|C-130J Super Hercules]]
}}

[[File:Glimpse of the Air Force Day Parade, at Air Force Station Hindan, in Ghaziabad on October 08, 2018 (6).JPG|thumb|C-130Js from 'Veiled Vipers' on the Air Force Day Parade, at [[Hindon Air Force Station]] on 8 October 2018]]

No. 77 Squadron is a unit of the [[Indian Air Force]] assigned to [[Western Air Command]]. This tactical airlift aircraft will be able to undertake quick deployment of Special Forces in all weather conditions, including airdrops and landings on unprepared or semi-prepared surface even in complete darkness. Capable of undertaking low-level air-to-air refueling to enhance its range, rapid forward basing of personnel and equipment in emergent situations would be one of its multifaceted roles.

==History==
The First C-130J aircraft was received in February 2011<ref>{{cite web |url=http://indianairforce.nic.in/show_pressrelease.php?pg_id=107&news_id=596 |title=Press Release |access-date=2015-12-07 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307071207/http://indianairforce.nic.in/show_pressrelease.php?pg_id=107&news_id=596 |archive-date=2016-03-07 }}</ref>

On 20 August 2013, the Indian Air Force performed the highest landing of a C-130J at the [[Daulat Beg Oldi]] airstrip in [[Ladakh]] at the height of {{convert|16614|ft|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite news|title=IAF's C-130J transporter lands near India-China border|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/iaf-s-c-130j-transporhhhgtttt ter-lands-near-india-china-border-113082000835_1.html|access-date=20 August 2013|newspaper=Business Standard|date=20 August 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=10 reasons why IAF's C-130J Super Hercules landing in Daulat Beg Oldie, Ladakh is important |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/indian-air-force-super-hercules-c-103j-landing-daulat-beg-oldie-ladakh-china/1/300410.html|access-date=20 August 2013|newspaper=India Today|date=20 August 2013}}</ref>

===Lineage===
* Constituted as '''No. 77 Squadron (Veiled Vipers)''' on 5 February 2011<ref name=BRakshak>{{cite web|title=Squadrons and Helicopter Units|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Units/Squadrons/292-Squadrons.html|publisher=Bharat Rakshak|access-date=7 December 2015}}</ref>

===Aircraft===
*[[Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules|C-130J Super Hercules]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Indian Air Force}}

[[Category:Indian Air Force aircraft squadrons|077]]

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No. 77 Squadron IAF