No. 18 Squadron IAF - Revision history

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← Older revision		Revision as of 02:59, 19 May 2022
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	{{Use Indian English\|date=October ~~2022~~}}		{{Use Indian English\|date=October 2013}}
	{{Use dmy dates\|date=October ~~2022~~}}		{{Use dmy dates\|date=October 2013}}
	{{Infobox military unit		{{Infobox military unit
	\| unit_name = No. 18 Squadron		\| unit_name = No. 18 Squadron
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	\| nickname = Flying Bullets		\| nickname = Flying Bullets
	\| patron =		\| patron =
	\| motto = ''Theevra aur Nirbhaya''<ref name=BRakshak>{{cite web\|title=Squadrons 18-33\|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Heraldry/Crests/345-Squadrons02.html\|work=IAF Unit Crests\|publisher=Bharat Rakshak\|access-date=24 July ~~2022~~}}</ref><br>Fast and Fearless<ref name="BRakshak"/>		\| motto = ''Theevra aur Nirbhaya''<ref name=BRakshak>{{cite web\|title=Squadrons 18-33\|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Heraldry/Crests/345-Squadrons02.html\|work=IAF Unit Crests\|publisher=Bharat Rakshak\|access-date=24 July 2012}}</ref><br>Fast and Fearless<ref name="BRakshak"/>
	\| colors =		\| colors =
	\| colors_label =		\| colors_label =
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	\| website =		\| website =
	<!-- Commanders -->		<!-- Commanders -->
	\| commander1 =Group Captain Manish Tolani <ref>{{cite web\|url=https://english.manoramaonline.com/news/kerala/2020/05/27/tejas-squadron-indian-air-force-sulur.html\|title=Big day for IAF, HAL as new Tejas Squadron takes off today\|publisher=OnManorama\|author=Anantha Krishnan M\|access-date=27 May ~~2022~~}}</ref>		\| commander1 =Group Captain Manish Tolani <ref>{{cite web\|url=https://english.manoramaonline.com/news/kerala/2020/05/27/tejas-squadron-indian-air-force-sulur.html\|title=Big day for IAF, HAL as new Tejas Squadron takes off today\|publisher=OnManorama\|author=Anantha Krishnan M\|access-date=27 May 2020}}</ref>
	\| commander1_label =		\| commander1_label =
	\| commander2 =		\| commander2 =
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	\| aircraft_fighter =[[HAL Tejas]]		\| aircraft_fighter =[[HAL Tejas]]
	}}		}}
	'''No. 18 Squadron''' (''Flying Bullets''), is an air-defence unit of the [[Indian Air Force]], flying from [[Sulur Air Force Station]]. The squadron is equipped with indigenous [[HAL Tejas\| HAL Tejas MK1]] in FOC configuration .<ref name=TOI>{{cite web\|title=No. 18 Squadron numberplated\|url=http://m.timesofindia.com/city/kolkata/MiG-27-squadron-number-plated-at-Hasimara/articleshow/51846931.cms\|publisher=Times Of India\|access-date=15 April ~~2022~~}}</ref>		'''No. 18 Squadron''' (''Flying Bullets''), is an air-defence unit of the [[Indian Air Force]], flying from [[Sulur Air Force Station]]. The squadron is equipped with indigenous [[HAL Tejas\| HAL Tejas MK1]] in FOC configuration .<ref name=TOI>{{cite web\|title=No. 18 Squadron numberplated\|url=http://m.timesofindia.com/city/kolkata/MiG-27-squadron-number-plated-at-Hasimara/articleshow/51846931.cms\|publisher=Times Of India\|access-date=15 April 2016}}</ref>

	The squadron was resurrected on 1 April 2020, at [[Sulur]], [[Tamil Nadu]] following which on 27 May 2020, the FOC variant of [[HAL Tejas\|Tejas]] Mk 1 has been inducted into the squadron.<ref name="18reborn">{{cite web\|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/iaf-set-to-raise-second-lca-squadron-in-sulur/story-JXmn3V2KhbqXm3fNDAYUnM.html\|title=IAF set to raise second LCA squadron in Sulur\|publisher=Hindustan Times\|access-date=24 May ~~2022~~}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.livefistdefence.com/2020/05/historic-iaf-squadron-revived-as-2nd-lca-tejas-unit.html\|title=Historic IAF Squadron Revived As 2nd LCA Tejas Unit\|date=25 May 2020\|publisher=Livefist\|access-date=25 May ~~2022~~}}</ref>		The squadron was resurrected on 1 April 2020, at [[Sulur]], [[Tamil Nadu]] following which on 27 May 2020, the FOC variant of [[HAL Tejas\|Tejas]] Mk 1 has been inducted into the squadron.<ref name="18reborn">{{cite web\|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/iaf-set-to-raise-second-lca-squadron-in-sulur/story-JXmn3V2KhbqXm3fNDAYUnM.html\|title=IAF set to raise second LCA squadron in Sulur\|publisher=Hindustan Times\|access-date=24 May 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.livefistdefence.com/2020/05/historic-iaf-squadron-revived-as-2nd-lca-tejas-unit.html\|title=Historic IAF Squadron Revived As 2nd LCA Tejas Unit\|date=25 May 2020\|publisher=Livefist\|access-date=25 May 2020}}</ref>

	==History==		==History==
	The squadron was formed on 15 April 1965, with five [[Folland Gnat]]s and eleven pilots, it operated out of [[Srinagar Air Force Station\|Srinagar AFS]].<ref name="18start">{{cite web\|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/squadron-of-iafs-sole-pvc-recipient-nirmaljit-sekhon-to-take-to-the-skies-again-89771\|title=Squadron of IAF's sole PVC recipient Nirmaljit Sekhon to take to the skies again\|work=The Tribune\|access-date=25 May ~~2022~~}}</ref> Although it existed during the [[Indo-Pakistan War of 1965]], it did not officially participate in the conflict. A few pilots from this squadron flew operations with [[No. 9 Squadron IAF\|9 Squadron]], and [[No. 2 Squadron IAF\|2 Squadron]]. Squadron Leader K.L. Khanna, was awarded the Vayu Sena Medal during the war.<ref name=IAF.nic>{{cite web\|title=No 18 Squadron (Flying Bullets)\|url=http://indianairforce.nic.in/show_unit.php?ch=15\|work=Squadrons of the Indian air Force\|publisher=Official Website of the Indian Air Force\|access-date=26 July ~~2022~~}}</ref>		The squadron was formed on 15 April 1965, with five [[Folland Gnat]]s and eleven pilots, it operated out of [[Srinagar Air Force Station\|Srinagar AFS]].<ref name="18start">{{cite web\|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/squadron-of-iafs-sole-pvc-recipient-nirmaljit-sekhon-to-take-to-the-skies-again-89771\|title=Squadron of IAF's sole PVC recipient Nirmaljit Sekhon to take to the skies again\|work=The Tribune\|access-date=25 May 2020}}</ref> Although it existed during the [[Indo-Pakistan War of 1965]], it did not officially participate in the conflict. A few pilots from this squadron flew operations with [[No. 9 Squadron IAF\|9 Squadron]], and [[No. 2 Squadron IAF\|2 Squadron]]. Squadron Leader K.L. Khanna, was awarded the Vayu Sena Medal during the war.<ref name=IAF.nic>{{cite web\|title=No 18 Squadron (Flying Bullets)\|url=http://indianairforce.nic.in/show_unit.php?ch=15\|work=Squadrons of the Indian air Force\|publisher=Official Website of the Indian Air Force\|access-date=26 July 2012}}</ref>

	The squadron first saw action during the [[Indo-Pakistan War of 1971]], with the task of defending the Kashmir Valley. It operated out of AFS Srinagar, consisting of four aircraft, 17 officers and 72 men commanded by Wing Commander P Raina. On 4 December, it scrambled to intercept an approaching raid. The raid was never carried out, but the squadron kept flying Combat Air Patrols all day.<ref name="IAF.nic"/>		The squadron first saw action during the [[Indo-Pakistan War of 1971]], with the task of defending the Kashmir Valley. It operated out of AFS Srinagar, consisting of four aircraft, 17 officers and 72 men commanded by Wing Commander P Raina. On 4 December, it scrambled to intercept an approaching raid. The raid was never carried out, but the squadron kept flying Combat Air Patrols all day.<ref name="IAF.nic"/>
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	After the war, in February 1975, the Gnats were phased out, and replaced by [[HAL Ajeet]]s. In May 1989, when the squadron was at Hindon, they were replaced with [[MiG 27]]s. Its former role of Air Defence was changed to Ground-attack.<ref name="IAF.nic"/>		After the war, in February 1975, the Gnats were phased out, and replaced by [[HAL Ajeet]]s. In May 1989, when the squadron was at Hindon, they were replaced with [[MiG 27]]s. Its former role of Air Defence was changed to Ground-attack.<ref name="IAF.nic"/>

	The squadron received the Presidential Standard Award in 2015.<ref name=pib>{{cite web\|title=Squadron 18-22 honoured\|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=131735\|work= Citations for Presidential Honour to IAF Squadrons\|publisher=Press Information Bureau\|access-date=20 November ~~2022~~}}</ref> The squadron was re-formed with the indigenous [[HAL Tejas]] on 27 May 2020.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/pvc-recipient-sekhon-s-squadron-to-fly-again/502125.html\|title = PVC recipient Sekhon's squadron to fly again}}</ref><ref name="18reborn"/>		The squadron received the Presidential Standard Award in 2015.<ref name=pib>{{cite web\|title=Squadron 18-22 honoured\|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=131735\|work= Citations for Presidential Honour to IAF Squadrons\|publisher=Press Information Bureau\|access-date=20 November 2015}}</ref> The squadron was re-formed with the indigenous [[HAL Tejas]] on 27 May 2020.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/pvc-recipient-sekhon-s-squadron-to-fly-again/502125.html\|title = PVC recipient Sekhon's squadron to fly again}}</ref><ref name="18reborn"/>

	No. 18 Squadron (Flying Bullets), is the only unit in the [[Indian Air Force]] to have been awarded the esteemed [[Param Vir Chakra]], the highest gallantry medal awarded during times of war.		No. 18 Squadron (Flying Bullets), is the only unit in the [[Indian Air Force]] to have been awarded the esteemed [[Param Vir Chakra]], the highest gallantry medal awarded during times of war.

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{{Use Indian English|date=October 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2022}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name = No. 18 Squadron
| image = Crest of the Flying bullets.jpg
| caption =
| dates = *15 April 1965 – 15 April 2016
*1 April 2020 – present
| country = {{flagicon|India}} [[Republic of India]]
| countries =
| allegiance =
| branch = {{air force|India}}
| type =
| role = [[Air Defense]]<br>[[Ground attack]]
| size =
| command_structure =
| garrison = [[Sulur Air Force Station]]
| garrison_label = Base
| nickname = Flying Bullets
| patron =
| motto = ''Theevra aur Nirbhaya''<ref name=BRakshak>{{cite web|title=Squadrons 18-33|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Heraldry/Crests/345-Squadrons02.html|work=IAF Unit Crests|publisher=Bharat Rakshak|access-date=24 July 2022}}</ref><br>Fast and Fearless<ref name="BRakshak"/>
| colors =
| colors_label =
| march =
| mascot =
| equipment =
| equipment_label =
| battles =
| anniversaries =
| decorations = *[[Param Vir Chakra|PVC]] [[Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon]] (1971)
*Presidential Standard (2015)
| battle_honours = [[Indo-Pakistan War of 1971]]
| battle_honours_label =
| disbanded =
| flying_hours =
| website =

| commander1 =Group Captain Manish Tolani <ref>{{cite web|url=https://english.manoramaonline.com/news/kerala/2020/05/27/tejas-squadron-indian-air-force-sulur.html|title=Big day for IAF, HAL as new Tejas Squadron takes off today|publisher=OnManorama|author=Anantha Krishnan M|access-date=27 May 2022}}</ref>
| commander1_label =
| commander2 =
| commander2_label =
| commander3 =
| commander3_label =
| commander4 =
| commander4_label =
| notable_commanders =

| identification_symbol =
| identification_symbol_label =
| identification_symbol_2 =
| identification_symbol_2_label =
| identification_symbol_3 =
| identification_symbol_3_label =

| aircraft_attack =
| aircraft_bomber =
| aircraft_electronic =
| aircraft_fighter =[[HAL Tejas]]
}}
'''No. 18 Squadron''' (''Flying Bullets''), is an air-defence unit of the [[Indian Air Force]], flying from [[Sulur Air Force Station]]. The squadron is equipped with indigenous [[HAL Tejas| HAL Tejas MK1]] in FOC configuration .<ref name=TOI>{{cite web|title=No. 18 Squadron numberplated|url=http://m.timesofindia.com/city/kolkata/MiG-27-squadron-number-plated-at-Hasimara/articleshow/51846931.cms|publisher=Times Of India|access-date=15 April 2022}}</ref>

The squadron was resurrected on 1 April 2020, at [[Sulur]], [[Tamil Nadu]] following which on 27 May 2020, the FOC variant of [[HAL Tejas|Tejas]] Mk 1 has been inducted into the squadron.<ref name="18reborn">{{cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/iaf-set-to-raise-second-lca-squadron-in-sulur/story-JXmn3V2KhbqXm3fNDAYUnM.html|title=IAF set to raise second LCA squadron in Sulur|publisher=Hindustan Times|access-date=24 May 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.livefistdefence.com/2020/05/historic-iaf-squadron-revived-as-2nd-lca-tejas-unit.html|title=Historic IAF Squadron Revived As 2nd LCA Tejas Unit|date=25 May 2020|publisher=Livefist|access-date=25 May 2022}}</ref>

==History==
The squadron was formed on 15 April 1965, with five [[Folland Gnat]]s and eleven pilots, it operated out of [[Srinagar Air Force Station|Srinagar AFS]].<ref name="18start">{{cite web|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/squadron-of-iafs-sole-pvc-recipient-nirmaljit-sekhon-to-take-to-the-skies-again-89771|title=Squadron of IAF's sole PVC recipient Nirmaljit Sekhon to take to the skies again|work=The Tribune|access-date=25 May 2022}}</ref> Although it existed during the [[Indo-Pakistan War of 1965]], it did not officially participate in the conflict. A few pilots from this squadron flew operations with [[No. 9 Squadron IAF|9 Squadron]], and [[No. 2 Squadron IAF|2 Squadron]]. Squadron Leader K.L. Khanna, was awarded the Vayu Sena Medal during the war.<ref name=IAF.nic>{{cite web|title=No 18 Squadron (Flying Bullets)|url=http://indianairforce.nic.in/show_unit.php?ch=15|work=Squadrons of the Indian air Force|publisher=Official Website of the Indian Air Force|access-date=26 July 2022}}</ref>

The squadron first saw action during the [[Indo-Pakistan War of 1971]], with the task of defending the Kashmir Valley. It operated out of AFS Srinagar, consisting of four aircraft, 17 officers and 72 men commanded by Wing Commander P Raina. On 4 December, it scrambled to intercept an approaching raid. The raid was never carried out, but the squadron kept flying Combat Air Patrols all day.<ref name="IAF.nic"/>

It fought its first [[Dogfighting|dogfight]], on 6 December, where Flight Lt. Bopaya and Squadron Leader [[Virendera Singh Pathania|Pathania]] got on the tail of four [[F-86 Sabre|Sabres]], despite heavy [[anti-aircraft]] fire. Bopaya realised that both he and [[Virendera Singh Pathania|Pathania]] were tailing the same Sabre, so he broke off and chased another, though he failed to damage any. [[Virendera Singh Pathania|Pathania]] managed to damage one of the Sabres, but his gun jammed and he failed to shoot down the plane. The Sabres managed to damage the Srinagar runway, and the pair of fighters were forced to land. On the same day Flight Lt. B.S. Ghuman, and Flying Officer R.V. Padkhe escorted [[de Havilland Vampire|Vampire]]s into Hajira and destroyed a Brigade HQ. Flight Lt. Naliyan and Flying Officer V.K. Sharma flew their squadron's first mission into enemy territory, in the Poonch sector, escorting Vampires on their bombing raids successfully.<ref name="IAF.nic"/>

On 7 December, Bopaya and [[Flying Officer]] [[Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon]] escorted another raid into the Poonch sector, and strafed enemy positions after the Vampires had delivered their weapons. On the 8th, Raina and Ghuman escorted another raid into Kargil, and strafed enemy bunkers after the bombs were delivered.<ref name="IAF.nic"/>

On 14 December, no patrols had taken place due to poor visibility. On seeing enemy Sabres in the sky, Ghuman and Sekhon were scrambled, without any Air Traffic Controller clearance. The Sabres successfully bombed the runway and turned back. Sekhon chased them and moved out of sight of Ghuman and the ground controllers. One Sabre was seen going out of control in the sky, but while Sekhon chased the second, a third Sabre shot him down. His parachute failed to deploy, and he was killed. He was posthumously awarded the [[Param Vir Chakra]].<ref name="IAF.nic"/>

After the war, in February 1975, the Gnats were phased out, and replaced by [[HAL Ajeet]]s. In May 1989, when the squadron was at Hindon, they were replaced with [[MiG 27]]s. Its former role of Air Defence was changed to Ground-attack.<ref name="IAF.nic"/>

The squadron received the Presidential Standard Award in 2015.<ref name=pib>{{cite web|title=Squadron 18-22 honoured|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=131735|work= Citations for Presidential Honour to IAF Squadrons|publisher=Press Information Bureau|access-date=20 November 2022}}</ref> The squadron was re-formed with the indigenous [[HAL Tejas]] on 27 May 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/pvc-recipient-sekhon-s-squadron-to-fly-again/502125.html|title = PVC recipient Sekhon's squadron to fly again}}</ref><ref name="18reborn"/>

No. 18 Squadron (Flying Bullets), is the only unit in the [[Indian Air Force]] to have been awarded the esteemed [[Param Vir Chakra]], the highest gallantry medal awarded during times of war.

==Aircraft==
{| class="wikitable"
|+
! Aircraft !! From !! To !! Air Base
|-
| [[Folland Gnat]] || 15 April 1965 || February 1975 || [[Srinagar Air Force Station|Srinagar AFS]]<ref name="18start"/>
|-
| [[HAL Ajeet]] || February 1975 || May 1989 || [[Hindon Air Force Station|Hindon AFS]]
|-
| [[Mig 27|MiG-27 ML]] || May 1989 || 15 April 2016 || [[Kalaikunda Air Force Station|Kalaikunda AFS]]<ref name="TOI"/>
|-
|[[HAL Tejas]]||27 May 2020 ||Till Date
|[[Sulur Air Force Station|Sulur AFS]]<ref name="18reborn"/>
|}

==Gallery==

{{Gallery
|title=Squadron 18 ceremony pics
|width=160 | height=170
|File:IAF Chief RKS Bhaduria handing over ceremonial key to SQ 18 CO Manish Tolani.jpg
|IAF Chief [[Air Chief Marshal (India)|ACM]] [[Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria|RKS Bhaduria]] handing over ceremonial key to SQ 18 CO Manish Tolani.
|File:HAL Tejas (LA-5018) of Squadron 18 Flying Bullets doing air manoeuvre.jpg
|HAL Tejas (LA-5018) of Squadron 18 Flying Bullets doing air maneuver.
|File:HAL Tejas SP18 fresh off the production line.jpg
|[[HAL Tejas]] series production #18 fresh off the production line.
|File:No. 18 Squadron IAF, a few before the India-Pakistan War of 1971. Colorized.jpg
|Men of the Squadron posing with one of their [[Folland Gnat]] fighter jets, a few months before the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]] broke out. Colorized.
}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Indian Air Force}}

[[Category:Indian Air Force aircraft squadrons|018]]