imported>Shashpant at 08:17, 28 June 2021

2021-06-28T08:17:42Z

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{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2015}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2015}}
{{Infobox military unit
|unit_name= No. 31 Squadron
|image=
|caption=
|dates= *1 September 1963 — October 2003
*January 2009 — Present
|country={{flagicon|India}} [[Republic of India]]
|allegiance=
|branch={{air force|India}}
|type=
|role=[[Fighter aircraft|Fighter]]
|size=
|command_structure=
|garrison=[[Jodhpur Air Force Station|Jodhpur AFS]]
|garrison_label=
|nickname="Lions"
|patron=
|motto=''Shatru Chhidrey Prahret''<br>A Kill with every blow
|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=[[Sukhoi Su-30|Sukhoi Su-30MKI]]
|aircraft_recon=
|aircraft_trainer=
|aircraft_transport=
}}
'''No. 31 Squadron [[Indian Air Force|IAF]]''', nicknamed the '''Lions''', is a Ground Attack squadron of the [[Indian Air Force]], equipped with [[Su-30MKI]] aircraft operating from [[Jodhpur Air Force Station]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/mbErel.aspx?relid=175679|title=Raksha Mantri takes to Skies in an IAF Su-30 MKI|date=17 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/mail-today/story/defence-minister-nirmala-sitharaman-to-go-on-sortie-in-sukhoi-30mki-1146495-2018-01-16|title=Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to go on sortie in Sukhoi 30MKI|date=16 January 2018}}</ref>

==History==
The squadron was formed as a ground attack squadron on 1 September 1963, as part of the expansion of the Indian Air Force in the aftermath of the [[Indo-China War of 1962|1962 War with China]]. Upon establishment, the squadron was equipped with [[Dassault Mystère IV|Mystère]] fighter-bombers.<ref name=IAF.nic>{{cite web|title=No 31 Squadron(Lions)|url=http://indianairforce.nic.in/show_unit.php?ch=25|work=Indian Air Force Units|access-date=2 August 2012}}</ref>

===Indo-Pakistan War of 1965===
In the [[Indo-Pakistan War of 1965|1965 War with Pakistan]], the Lions, commanded by Wing Commander W.M. Goodman, operated from Pathankot and were assigned to fly missions against various ground targets in the sector.<ref name="IAF.nic"/> On 1 September, Pakistan launched its offensive in the Chhamb Sector, in an effort to cut off communication lines to Kashmir. The Lions were tasked to attack the armoured units. Between 2 and 6 September, the Lions flew several sorties during which they destroyed several tanks, and blunted the offensive. The squadron also flew several reconnaissance sorties and ground attack missions in the sector, performing rocket attacks on tank concentrations at Troti and Chhamb, and strafing Pakistani positions at Jaurian.<ref name=awards>{{cite web|title=Awards for 31 Squadron|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Database/Awards/awards.php?qunit=31%20Squadron|work=Awards for IAF units|publisher=Bharat Rakshak|access-date=2 August 2012}}</ref>

On 9 September, two No. 31 Squadron aircraft flew a photo recon and strike mission between Kasur and Raiwind. They attacked a train transporting tanks to the front-line, destroying twenty of them. The Lions also attacked and destroyed a tank and heavy gun concentration at Chawinda. Most of the squadron's missions were led by the Goodman, and he was awarded the [[Maha Vir Chakra]] for conspicuous gallantry, leadership, and professional skill, while another pilot was awarded a Vir Chakra for these missions.

==Aircraft==
{| class="wikitable"
|+
! Aircraft !! From !! To !! Air Base
|-
| [[Dassault Mystère IV]] || 1 September 1963 || February 1973 || [[Halwara Air Force Station|AFS Halwara]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Database/Units/31+Sqn|title=No. 31 Squadron|publisher=Bharat Rakshak}}</ref>
|-
| [[HAL HF-24 Marut]] || February 1973 || April 1983 ||
|-
| [[MiG-23|MiG-23 BN]] || April 1983 || October 2003 ||
|-
| rowspan='2'|[[Sukhoi Su-30 MKI]] || February 2009 || September 2011 || [[Pune Airport|AFS Lohegaon]]
|-
| November 2011 || Present || [[Jodhpur Airport|AFS Jodhpur]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/squadron-flying-sukhoi30-mkis-set-to-relocate-from-lohegaon/|title=Squadron flying Sukhoi-30 MKIs set to relocate from Lohegaon|publisher=Indian Express|first=Pranav|last=Kulkarni|date=2011-09-28|access-date=2021-06-28}}</ref>
|}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Indian Air Force}}

[[Category:Indian Air Force aircraft squadrons|031]]

No. 31 Squadron IAF - Revision history

imported>Shashpant at 08:17, 28 June 2021