No. 22 Squadron IAF - Revision history

MyrnaAcuna04: general adjust article and updated info

2025-10-12T20:09:10Z

general adjust article and updated info

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:39, 13 October 2025
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	{{Use Indian English\|date=August 2013}}		{{Use Indian English\|date=August 2013}}
	{{Use dmy dates\|date=~~August 2013~~}}		{{Use dmy dates\|date=May 2024}}
	{{Infobox military unit		{{Infobox military unit
	\|unit_name= No. 22 Squadron		\|unit_name= No. 22 Squadron
	\|image=[[File:No22sqd.jpg\|160px\|22 Squadron badge]]		\|image=[[File:No22sqd.jpg\|160px\|22 Squadron badge]]
	\|caption=Crest of No 22 Squadron		\|caption=Crest of No 22 Squadron
	\|dates=15 October 1966- 29 December 2017		\|dates=15 October 1966 – 29 December 2017
	\|country=India		\|country=India
	\|allegiance=		\|allegiance=
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	\|nickname="Swifts"		\|nickname="Swifts"
	\|patron=		\|patron=
	\|motto=''Sahase Vijayate''<br>Courage Triumphs		\|motto=''Sahase Vijayate''<br />Courage Triumphs
	\|colors=		\|colors=
	\|colors_label=		\|colors_label=
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	}}		}}

	'''No. 22 Squadron (''Swifts'') ''' was a [[Close Air Support\|CAS]] unit based out of [[Hasimara]] AFS. Along with [[No. 222 Squadron IAF]] [[Tiger Sharks]], No. 22 Squadron forms a part of the '''16 Wing''' of the IAF. The squadron operated [[MiG-27]] till December 2017 and the squadron number-plated since then.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.sainiksamachar.nic.in/englisharchives/2018/jan16-18/h11.htm\|title=MiG-27 squadron number-plated at Hasimara\|publisher=Sainik Samachar\|access-date=2021-06-27}}</ref>		'''No. 22 Squadron (''Swifts'') ''' was a [[Close Air Support\|CAS]] unit based out of [[Hasimara]] AFS. Along with [[No. 222 Squadron IAF]] [[Tiger Sharks]], No. 22 Squadron forms a part of the '''16 Wing''' of the IAF. The squadron operated the [[MiG-27]] till December 2017 and the squadron number-plated since then.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.sainiksamachar.nic.in/englisharchives/2018/jan16-18/h11.htm\|title=MiG-27 squadron number-plated at Hasimara\|publisher=Sainik Samachar\|access-date=2021-06-27}}</ref>

	==Formation==		==Formation==
	[[File:Mig-27ml.jpg\|thumb\|200px\|left\|A [[Mig 27]] of the No. 22 Squadron takes off from [[Hasimara Air Force Station]]]] <!-- FAIR USE of Mig-27ml.jpg: see image description page at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Mig-27ml.jpg for rationale -->		<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Mig-27ml.jpg\|thumb\|200px\|left\|A [[Mig 27]] of the No. 22 Squadron takes off from [[Hasimara Air Force Station]]]] --><!-- FAIR USE of Mig-27ml.jpg: see image description page at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Mig-27ml.jpg for rationale -->
	No. 22 Sqn, [[Indian Air Force\|IAF]] was raised on 15 October 1966 at Airforce Station [[Bareilly]] under the command of Wg Cdr PP Singh as a part of [[Eastern Air Command (India)\|Eastern Air Command]], and named "Hell's Angels". The unit was at the time equipped with [[Folland Gnat\|Gnat Mk-I ac]] and assigned to [[Ground attack]] and [[Air defence]]. It moved to [[Kalaikunda]] [[Air Force Base\|AFB]] under [[Eastern Air Command (India)\|Eastern Air Command]] in September 1968, forming a part of the 5 Wing.<ref name="22 Nov">{{cite web\|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/History/1971War/Sabres.html \|title=22nd November 1971 \|publisher=Bharat-rakshak.com \|access-date=2012-07-15 \|url-status=dead \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111118130237/http://bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/History/1971War/Sabres.html \|archive-date=18 November 2011 }}</ref>		No. 22 Sqn, [[Indian Air Force\|IAF]] was raised on 15 October 1966 at Airforce Station [[Bareilly]] under the command of Wg Cdr PP Singh as a part of [[Eastern Air Command (India)\|Eastern Air Command]], and named "Hell's Angels". The unit was at the time equipped with [[Folland Gnat\|Gnat Mk-I ac]] and assigned to [[Ground attack]] and [[Air defence]]. It moved to [[Kalaikunda]] [[Air Force Base\|AFB]] under [[Eastern Air Command (India)\|Eastern Air Command]] in September 1968, forming a part of the 5 Wing.<ref name="22 Nov">{{cite web\|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/History/1971War/Sabres.html \|title=22nd November 1971 \|publisher=Bharat-rakshak.com \|access-date=2012-07-15 \|url-status=dead \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111118130237/http://bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/History/1971War/Sabres.html \|archive-date=18 November 2011 }}</ref>

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	===Ground attack===		===Ground attack===
	No. 22 did not fly against ground targets until three days after [[Operation Chengiz Khan\|the formal declaration of war]]. First of these was on 6 December, against [[~~Brisal~~]] Airfield, south of [[Dhaka]]. At 1200 hours, four Gnats flew against the airfield at Brisal, destroying all the hangars, and causing extensive damage to the bunkers around it.		No. 22 did not fly against ground targets until three days after [[Operation Chengiz Khan\|the formal declaration of war]]. First of these was on 6 December, against [[Barisal]] Airfield, south of [[Dhaka]]. At 1200 hours, four Gnats flew against the airfield at Brisal, destroying all the hangars, and causing extensive damage to the bunkers around it.

	The squadron also struck the Ishurdi airfield repeatedly between 5 and 8 December, and Jessore on 8 December. On 7 Dec, the squadron destroyed the Army Brigade at Khulna.<ref name="IAF.nic">{{cite web\|url=http://indianairforce.nic.in/show_unit.php?ch=17 \|title=No 22 Squadron (Swifts) \|publisher=Indianairforce.nic.in \|access-date=2013-10-27}}</ref>		The squadron also struck the Ishurdi airfield repeatedly between 5 and 8 December, and Jessore on 8 December. On 7 Dec, the squadron destroyed the Army Brigade at Khulna.<ref name="IAF.nic">{{cite web\|url=http://indianairforce.nic.in/show_unit.php?ch=17 \|title=No 22 Squadron (Swifts) \|publisher=Indianairforce.nic.in \|access-date=2013-10-27}}</ref>
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	The Pakistani ground forces attempted to retreat through small boats, motor launches and barges. The squadron carried out raids on Khulna, Banisol, and Godanad between 7 and 15 December, effectively stopping the escape.<ref name="IAF.nic"/>		The Pakistani ground forces attempted to retreat through small boats, motor launches and barges. The squadron carried out raids on Khulna, Banisol, and Godanad between 7 and 15 December, effectively stopping the escape.<ref name="IAF.nic"/>

	==~~After the~~ War==		==Post-War==
	In December 1975, the squadron moved to Hasimara, and in April 1978, it moved to Bagdogra, and converted to [[Hindustan Aeronautics Limited\|HAL]] [[Folland Gnat\|Ajeet]] Mk~~-I ac~~ aircraft in March 1982. On 20 December 1985, the unit was awarded the present crest of the [[Swift (bird)\|Swift]] by the then [[President of India\|~~Indian~~ President]], [[R. Venkataraman]], and renamed to its current name. In February 1990, the squadron moved back to Hasimara, and converted to [[Mikoyan MiG-27]]ML aircraft.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Images/Special/AirfieldVisits/Hasimara/ \|title=The Floggers of Hasimara [www.bharat-rakshak.com] \|publisher=Bharat-rakshak.com \|access-date=2012-07-15}}</ref>		In December 1975, the squadron moved to Hasimara, and in April 1978, it moved to Bagdogra and converted to [[Hindustan Aeronautics Limited\|HAL]] [[Folland Gnat\|Ajeet]] Mk.1 aircraft in March 1982. On 20 December 1985, the unit was awarded the present crest of the [[Swift (bird)\|Swift]] by the then [[President of India\|President]] [[R. Venkataraman]], and renamed to its current name. In February 1990, the squadron moved back to Hasimara, and converted to [[Mikoyan MiG-27]]ML aircraft.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Images/Special/AirfieldVisits/Hasimara/ \|title=The Floggers of Hasimara [www.bharat-rakshak.com] \|publisher=Bharat-rakshak.com \|access-date=2012-07-15}}</ref>

	==Sabre Slayers==		==Sabre Slayers==
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	==Aircraft==		==Aircraft==

	Aircraft types operated by the squadron<ref name="22brf">{{cite web\|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Database/Units/22+Sqn\|title=No.22 Squadron Falcons - Bharat Rakshak:Indian Air Force\|work=bharat-rakshak.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.indiastrategic.in/topstories4438_Indian_Air%20Force.htm\|title=Nos 18 and 22 Squadron Awarded ~~President’s~~ Standard\|publisher=India Strategic\|date=2015-11-28\|access-date=2021-06-27}}</ref>		Aircraft types operated by the squadron<ref name="22brf">{{cite web\|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Database/Units/22+Sqn\|title=No.22 Squadron Falcons - Bharat Rakshak:Indian Air Force\|work=bharat-rakshak.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.indiastrategic.in/topstories4438_Indian_Air%20Force.htm\|title=Nos 18 and 22 Squadron Awarded President's Standard\|publisher=India Strategic\|date=2015-11-28\|access-date=2021-06-27}}</ref>
	{\| class="wikitable"		{\| class="wikitable"
	\|+		\|+
	! Aircraft ~~Type~~!!From!!To!!Air ~~Base~~		! Aircraft type!!From!!To!!Air base
	\|-		\|-
	\| rowspan='2'\| [[Folland Gnat\|Folland Gnat I]] \|\| 15 October 1966 \|\| December 1969 \|\| [[Bareilly Airport\|AFS Bareilly]]		\| rowspan='2'\| [[Folland Gnat\|Folland Gnat I]] \|\| 15 October 1966 \|\| December 1969 \|\| [[Bareilly Airport\|AFS Bareilly]]
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	==Awards ==		==Awards ==
	# Flt Lt [[RA Massey]] F(P) [[Vir Chakra\|Vr C]]- 1971 operations<ref name="IAF.nic"/>		# Flt Lt [[RA Massey]] F(P) [[Vir Chakra\|Vr C]]- 1971 operations<ref name="IAF.nic"/>
	# Flt Lt [[MA Ganapathy]] F(P) Vr C - 1971 operations<ref name="IAF.nic"/>		# Flt Lt [[M. A. Ganapathy]] F(P) Vr C - 1971 operations<ref name="IAF.nic"/>
	# Flt Lt [[D Lazarus]] F(P) Vr C - 1971 Operations<ref name="IAF.nic"/>		# Flt Lt [[D Lazarus]] F(P) Vr C - 1971 Operations<ref name="IAF.nic"/>

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	[[Category:Indian Air Force aircraft squadrons\|022]]		[[Category:Indian Air Force aircraft squadrons\|022]]
			[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1966]]
			[[Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 2017]]

imported>Shashpant at 08:42, 27 June 2021

2021-06-27T08:42:33Z

New page

{{Use Indian English|date=August 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2013}}
{{Infobox military unit
|unit_name= No. 22 Squadron
|image=[[File:No22sqd.jpg|160px|22 Squadron badge]]
|caption=Crest of No 22 Squadron
|dates=15 October 1966- 29 December 2017
|country=India
|allegiance=
|branch=
|type=
|role=[[Close Air Support|CAS]] <br/> [[Air interdiction|Interdiction]]<br/>[[Ground attack]]
|size=
|command_structure=
|garrison=[[Hasimara Air Force Station|Hasimara AFS]]
|garrison_label=
|nickname="Swifts"
|patron=
|motto=''Sahase Vijayate''<br>Courage Triumphs
|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=Flying Swift
|identification_symbol_label=
|identification_symbol_2=
|identification_symbol_2_label=

|aircraft_attack=[[Mig 27|Mig 27ML]]
|aircraft_bomber=
|aircraft_electronic=
|aircraft_fighter=
|aircraft_recon=
|aircraft_trainer=
|aircraft_transport=
}}

'''No. 22 Squadron (''Swifts'') ''' was a [[Close Air Support|CAS]] unit based out of [[Hasimara]] AFS. Along with [[No. 222 Squadron IAF]] [[Tiger Sharks]], No. 22 Squadron forms a part of the '''16 Wing''' of the IAF. The squadron operated [[MiG-27]] till December 2017 and the squadron number-plated since then.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sainiksamachar.nic.in/englisharchives/2018/jan16-18/h11.htm|title=MiG-27 squadron number-plated at Hasimara|publisher=Sainik Samachar|access-date=2021-06-27}}</ref>

==Formation==
[[File:Mig-27ml.jpg|thumb|200px|left|A [[Mig 27]] of the No. 22 Squadron takes off from [[Hasimara Air Force Station]]]] 
No. 22 Sqn, [[Indian Air Force|IAF]] was raised on 15 October 1966 at Airforce Station [[Bareilly]] under the command of Wg Cdr PP Singh as a part of [[Eastern Air Command (India)|Eastern Air Command]], and named "Hell's Angels". The unit was at the time equipped with [[Folland Gnat|Gnat Mk-I ac]] and assigned to [[Ground attack]] and [[Air defence]]. It moved to [[Kalaikunda]] [[Air Force Base|AFB]] under [[Eastern Air Command (India)|Eastern Air Command]] in September 1968, forming a part of the 5 Wing.<ref name="22 Nov">{{cite web|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/History/1971War/Sabres.html |title=22nd November 1971 |publisher=Bharat-rakshak.com |access-date=2012-07-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111118130237/http://bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/History/1971War/Sabres.html |archive-date=18 November 2011 }}</ref>

==1971 Operations==
{{Main|East Pakistan Operations 1971|Operation Chengiz Khan}}

===Air defence===
On 22 November 1971, the squadron fought the first engagement that signified the opening of all out war in 1971, four Gnats operating from [[Dum Dum]], engaged [[F86 Sabre|Sabres]] [[Battle of Boyra|over Boyra salient]], shot down two of them, and badly damaged one. The damaged aircraft however made it back to Tezgaon Airfield alongside the undamaged one. Two of the PAF pilots, namely Pervez Mehdi Qureshi, Khaleel Ahmed, ejected over the Boyra salient, and were taken [[POW]]s.<ref name="22 Nov"/>

===Ground attack===
No. 22 did not fly against ground targets until three days after [[Operation Chengiz Khan|the formal declaration of war]]. First of these was on 6 December, against [[Brisal]] Airfield, south of [[Dhaka]]. At 1200 hours, four Gnats flew against the airfield at Brisal, destroying all the hangars, and causing extensive damage to the bunkers around it.

The squadron also struck the Ishurdi airfield repeatedly between 5 and 8 December, and Jessore on 8 December. On 7 Dec, the squadron destroyed the Army Brigade at Khulna.<ref name="IAF.nic">{{cite web|url=http://indianairforce.nic.in/show_unit.php?ch=17 |title=No 22 Squadron (Swifts) |publisher=Indianairforce.nic.in |access-date=2013-10-27}}</ref>
 

===Close air support===
The most extensive ground support missions were flown against the [[Pakistani Army]] positions in Jessore. The [[Indian Army]] faced its most difficult task in the capture of Jessore, where the Pakistani Army had dug-in in concrete defences and defended every inch and were also aided by an effective [[artillery barrage]]. No 22 Sqn would strike these positions with [[Unguided bombs]], destroying the defences in pinpoint attacks. Jessore would fall after this bloody confrontation.<ref name="IAF.nic"/>

===Bomber and transport escort===
No. 22 provided crucial [[fighter escort]] to the [[Hawker Hunter|Hunter]]s and [[English Electric Canberra|Canberra]]s on strikes against positions deep inside [[East Pakistan]]. The Pakistani Air Force did not attempt to intercept these flights, and hence allowed these bombers to go through unhampered, causing extensive damage to railyards and strongholds. Gnats from No 22 would also provide fighter escort to the [[An-12]]s and [[Douglas DC-3|Dakota]]s during the [[Tangail Airdrop]] on 11 December 1971.<ref name="IAF.nic"/>

===Anti shipping operations===
The Pakistani ground forces attempted to retreat through small boats, motor launches and barges. The squadron carried out raids on Khulna, Banisol, and Godanad between 7 and 15 December, effectively stopping the escape.<ref name="IAF.nic"/>

==After the War==
In December 1975, the squadron moved to Hasimara, and in April 1978, it moved to Bagdogra, and converted to [[Hindustan Aeronautics Limited|HAL]] [[Folland Gnat|Ajeet]] Mk-I ac aircraft in March 1982. On 20 December 1985, the unit was awarded the present crest of the [[Swift (bird)|Swift]] by the then [[President of India|Indian President]], [[R. Venkataraman]], and renamed to its current name. In February 1990, the squadron moved back to Hasimara, and converted to [[Mikoyan MiG-27]]ML aircraft.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Images/Special/AirfieldVisits/Hasimara/ |title=The Floggers of Hasimara [www.bharat-rakshak.com] |publisher=Bharat-rakshak.com |access-date=2012-07-15}}</ref>

==Sabre Slayers==
The Squadron earned its name of '''Sabre Slayers''', during Operations in December 1971. In the Battle of Boyra of the war, three intruding [[F-86 Sabre|Sabre]]s of the [[Pakistani Air Force|PAF]] were shot down by the Squadron Pilots. Through the war, Gnats from No.22 repeatedly engaged the [[Pakistan Air Force|PAF]] [[F-86 Sabre|Sabres]] with devastating effect.<ref name="IAF.nic"/>

==Aircraft==

Aircraft types operated by the squadron<ref name="22brf">{{cite web|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Database/Units/22+Sqn|title=No.22 Squadron Falcons - Bharat Rakshak:Indian Air Force|work=bharat-rakshak.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiastrategic.in/topstories4438_Indian_Air%20Force.htm|title=Nos 18 and 22 Squadron Awarded President’s Standard|publisher=India Strategic|date=2015-11-28|access-date=2021-06-27}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|+
! Aircraft Type!!From!!To!!Air Base
|-
| rowspan='2'| [[Folland Gnat|Folland Gnat I]] || 15 October 1966 || December 1969 || [[Bareilly Airport|AFS Bareilly]]
|-
| December 1969 || April 1982 || [[Kalaikunda Air Force Station|AFS Kalaikunda]]
|-
| [[Hawker Hunter]] || February 1973 || February 1986 ||
|-
| [[HAL Ajeet]] || March 1982 || March 1990 ||
|-
| [[Mig-23|MiG-23 UB]] || rowspan=2|February 1990 || rowspan=2|29 December 2017 || rowspan='2'|[[Hasimara Air Force Station|AFS Hasimara]]
|-
| [[MiG-27]]
|}

==Awards ==
# Flt Lt [[RA Massey]] F(P) [[Vir Chakra|Vr C]]- 1971 operations<ref name="IAF.nic"/>
# Flt Lt [[MA Ganapathy]] F(P) Vr C - 1971 operations<ref name="IAF.nic"/>
# Flt Lt [[D Lazarus]] F(P) Vr C - 1971 Operations<ref name="IAF.nic"/>

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Indian Air Force}}

[[Category:Indian Air Force aircraft squadrons|022]]