No. 3 Squadron IAF - Revision history

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← Older revision		Revision as of 09:05, 31 August 2022
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	==NWFP 1942==		==NWFP 1942==
	The first deployment of No. 3 Sqn was in January 1942, when the ''A Flight'' of the unit was deployed at [[Miranshah]] against the insurgency led by the [[Faqir of Ipi]].<ref name="Bharat-rakshak.com"/> The unit stayed there until February when it was replaced by the ''B Flight''. The A-flight was sent to [[Kohat]], where it remained until September.		The first deployment of No. 3 Sqn was in January 1942, when the ''A Flight'' of the unit was deployed at [[Miranshah]] against the insurgency led by the [[Faqir of Ipi]].<ref name="Bharat-rakshak.com"/> The unit stayed there until February when it was replaced by the ''B Flight''. The A-flight was sent to [[Kohat]], where it remained until September.
	The Faqir waged a guerilla war that before and even during World War II, was a source of constant disconcert to the Raj. Added to this was the personal charisma of the Faqir. Against this enemy, No. 3, which replaced the No. 2 Sqn, was placed on what has been termed "Watch and Ward"<ref name="Bharat-rakshak.com"/> operations and "Air Blockade", ostensibly [[Close Air Support\|CAS]] and tactical bombing. It has been suggested that the targets of these attacks were not just forces of the Faqir, but also the crops and cattle of the local populace.<ref name= ~~Bharatpedia~~.com>[[Faqir of Ipi#Quagmire\|~~Bharatpedia~~ article on the Faqir of Ipi]]</ref> It was during this time in April 1942 that it received its first Indian CO, Sqn Ldr Mehar Singh. Between May and August the Unit was deployed against the [[Hurs]] in [[Sindh]]. It was also during this operation that the unit suffered its first casualty, when Plt Offr Z.B. Sanjana's Audax went down, alongside his gunner Sgt Arye during a tactical Tactical Recce Mission.		The Faqir waged a guerilla war that before and even during World War II, was a source of constant disconcert to the Raj. Added to this was the personal charisma of the Faqir. Against this enemy, No. 3, which replaced the No. 2 Sqn, was placed on what has been termed "Watch and Ward"<ref name="Bharat-rakshak.com"/> operations and "Air Blockade", ostensibly [[Close Air Support\|CAS]] and tactical bombing. It has been suggested that the targets of these attacks were not just forces of the Faqir, but also the crops and cattle of the local populace.<ref name= Wikipedia.com>[[Faqir of Ipi#Quagmire\|Wikipedia article on the Faqir of Ipi]]</ref> It was during this time in April 1942 that it received its first Indian CO, Sqn Ldr Mehar Singh. Between May and August the Unit was deployed against the [[Hurs]] in [[Sindh]]. It was also during this operation that the unit suffered its first casualty, when Plt Offr Z.B. Sanjana's Audax went down, alongside his gunner Sgt Arye during a tactical Tactical Recce Mission.

	The unit converted to [[Hawker Hurricane\|Hurricane IIc]] after moving to [[Risalpur]] in September 1943, and between November 1942 and February 1944, it moved first to [[Phaphamau]], and then to [[Ranchi]] for Gunnery training. It was moved back to Kohat in February and briefly was deployed against the resurgent tribal people in the North Western Frontier Province. However, for most of the year of 1944, the unit remained in training at Kohat.		The unit converted to [[Hawker Hurricane\|Hurricane IIc]] after moving to [[Risalpur]] in September 1943, and between November 1942 and February 1944, it moved first to [[Phaphamau]], and then to [[Ranchi]] for Gunnery training. It was moved back to Kohat in February and briefly was deployed against the resurgent tribal people in the North Western Frontier Province. However, for most of the year of 1944, the unit remained in training at Kohat.
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	In July 1980, the MiG-21FLs were exchanged for the MiG-21Bis and conversion was completed October of the year. In 2002, the unit converted to the Mig 21 Bison which are currently in operation. The Cobras celebrated their Diamond Jubilee in October 2002.		In July 1980, the MiG-21FLs were exchanged for the MiG-21Bis and conversion was completed October of the year. In 2002, the unit converted to the Mig 21 Bison which are currently in operation. The Cobras celebrated their Diamond Jubilee in October 2002.

	In May 2019, it became the first squadron to host a fully commissioned women fighter pilot [[Bhawana Kanth]] of the [[Indian Air Force]].<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/flight-lieutenant-bhawana-kanth-is-indias-first-woman-pilot-to-qualify-for-combat-missions-2041527\|title= Bhawana Kanth Is India's First Woman Pilot to Qualify for Combat Missions \|publisher=NDTV\|access-date=23 May ~~2022~~}}</ref>		In May 2019, it became the first squadron to host a fully commissioned women fighter pilot [[Bhawana Kanth]] of the [[Indian Air Force]].<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/flight-lieutenant-bhawana-kanth-is-indias-first-woman-pilot-to-qualify-for-combat-missions-2041527\|title= Bhawana Kanth Is India's First Woman Pilot to Qualify for Combat Missions \|publisher=NDTV\|access-date=23 May 2019}}</ref>

	==Aircraft==		==Aircraft==
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	*[http://indianairforce.nic.in Official website of the Indian Air Force]		*[http://indianairforce.nic.in Official website of the Indian Air Force]
	{{Indian Air Force}}		{{Indian Air Force}}
	{{Use British English\|date=August ~~2022~~}}		{{Use British English\|date=August 2010}}
	{{Use dmy dates\|date=August ~~2022~~}}		{{Use dmy dates\|date=August 2019}}

	[[Category:Indian Air Force aircraft squadrons\|003]]		[[Category:Indian Air Force aircraft squadrons\|003]]
	[[Category:1941 establishments in India]]		[[Category:1941 establishments in India]]

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{{Infobox military unit
|unit_name= No. 3 Squadron
|image=[[Image:No3sqd.jpg|100px|No. 3 Squadron badge]]
|caption="The crest of the No. 3 Squadron"
|dates= October 1941 – Present
|role= [[Close Air Support]] [[Air interdiction|Interdiction]] [[Reconnaissance]]
|garrison=[[Pathankot Airport|AFS Pathankot]]
|garrison_label=Base
|nickname=''Cobras''
|motto=''Lakshya Vedh'' ''Destroy Target with Precision''
|battles=Hur's Operations [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa|NWFP]] [[Burma Campaign]] [[Operation Polo]] [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965|Western Air War, 1965]] [[Bangladesh Liberation War|Liberation War, 1971]]

|notable_commanders=[[Air Chief Marshal (India)|ACM]] [[Om Prakash Mehra]]

|identification_symbol= A Winged [[dagger]] clenched in a fist and entwined by a [[cobra]]

|aircraft_fighter=[[MiG-21|MiG-21 Bison]]
}}



The '''No.3 Squadron''' (''Cobras'') of the [[Indian Air Force]] (IAF) operates as a [[Close Air Support]] (CAS) and [[reconnaissance]] unit. Currently based at [[Pathankot Air Force Station]], No. 3 Sqn falls under the [[Western Air Command (India)|Western Air Command]], and alongside the [[No. 26 Squadron IAF|No. 26 Sqn]] (''Warriors''), [[No. 104 Helicopter Squadron, IAF|No. 104HU]] (''Pioneer Rotarians'') and [[No. 125 Helicopter Squadron IAF|No.125HU]] (''Gladiators''), forms the 18 wing of the IAF.<ref name=Scramble.nl>[http://www.scramble.nl/in.htm Dutch Aviation Society. OrBat of the Indian Air Force] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090122235334/http://www.scramble.nl/in.htm |date=22 January 2009 }}</ref>

==Crest==

No. 3 Squadron's emblem is a winged [[dagger]] clenched in a fist and entwined by a [[cobra]]. Below this crest, the words ''Lakshya Vedh'', literally 'on target,' are written upon a scroll.

==History==
No. 3 Squadron (''Cobras'') was formed on 1 October 1941 at [[Peshawar]] equipped with [[Hawker Audax]] light bombers<ref>halley 1988, p. 521.</ref> transferred from [[No. 28 Squadron RAF]] under the command of Sqn Ldr Nan Bray. The initial recruits to the unit were drawn from [[No. 1 Squadron, Indian Air Force]]. Tasked with the role of fighter reconnaissance,<ref name= Bharat-rakshak.com>[http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/History/Sqn/003.html#WW2 Bharat-Rakshak, History of No. 3 Sqn]</ref> the third squadron initially operated two flights of eight Audax aircraft. The Third Squadron was first deployed in December 1941 on a mission in the [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa|North-West Frontier Province]], against the insurgency of the [[Faqir of Ipi]], in an area that is now part of [[Pakistan]]. The squadron has since flown with distinction in a number of conflicts, including the [[Burma Campaign]], [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965]] and the [[1971 Liberation War]].

==NWFP 1942==
The first deployment of No. 3 Sqn was in January 1942, when the ''A Flight'' of the unit was deployed at [[Miranshah]] against the insurgency led by the [[Faqir of Ipi]].<ref name="Bharat-rakshak.com"/> The unit stayed there until February when it was replaced by the ''B Flight''. The A-flight was sent to [[Kohat]], where it remained until September.
The Faqir waged a guerilla war that before and even during World War II, was a source of constant disconcert to the Raj. Added to this was the personal charisma of the Faqir. Against this enemy, No. 3, which replaced the No. 2 Sqn, was placed on what has been termed "Watch and Ward"<ref name="Bharat-rakshak.com"/> operations and "Air Blockade", ostensibly [[Close Air Support|CAS]] and tactical bombing. It has been suggested that the targets of these attacks were not just forces of the Faqir, but also the crops and cattle of the local populace.<ref name= Bharatpedia.com>[[Faqir of Ipi#Quagmire|Bharatpedia article on the Faqir of Ipi]]</ref> It was during this time in April 1942 that it received its first Indian CO, Sqn Ldr Mehar Singh. Between May and August the Unit was deployed against the [[Hurs]] in [[Sindh]]. It was also during this operation that the unit suffered its first casualty, when Plt Offr Z.B. Sanjana's Audax went down, alongside his gunner Sgt Arye during a tactical Tactical Recce Mission.

The unit converted to [[Hawker Hurricane|Hurricane IIc]] after moving to [[Risalpur]] in September 1943, and between November 1942 and February 1944, it moved first to [[Phaphamau]], and then to [[Ranchi]] for Gunnery training. It was moved back to Kohat in February and briefly was deployed against the resurgent tribal people in the North Western Frontier Province. However, for most of the year of 1944, the unit remained in training at Kohat.

==Burma operations==
No. 3 was ordered to move to [[Burma]] in January 1945, where it was deployed in support of the [[Burma Campaign#The British 1944-1945 Offensives|second Arakan campaign]]. Led by Sqn Ldr Shiv Dev Singh, the unit arrived at Bawli North in January and commenced offensive flying in February 1945. In total, 493 offensive sorties were flown by the unit; there were no operational casualties. No. 3 flew against Japanese troop positions and communications lines around Taingup and ThinChaung. One of the highlights of the attack was on the jetty at Kwyagn, which was an unqualified success.<ref name="Bharat-rakshak.com"/> On 13 March, the Squadrons aircraft wiped out a Japanese train south east of Thinchaung. Several missions against dug in Japanese troops were flown in the Taungap area.

At the beginning of April the squadron were involved in road blocking sorties and in attacks on targets in the Taungup pass area with delayed action bombs. On 11 April the bridge south-east of Thin Chaung was bombed and destroyed successfully. The Squadron's stint in Burma was short, compared with the other RIAF squadrons, but its contribution was acknowledged by the award of one [[Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)|DFC]] to Flt Lt [[Minoo Merwan Engineer]]. Also, Fg Offr Randhir Singh received a commendation for his services in combat.

No.3 was moved to St Thomas Mount at [[Madras]] in April and then to [[Risalpur]] in a training role in September. In October 1945, No. 3 was earmarked for conversion to Spitfires. Sqn Ldr Shivdev Singh handed over command to Sqn Ldr OP Mehra on 28 December 1945. In the last week of January 1946, No. 3 flew its Spitfires to [[Yelahanka]] to complete its conversion.
Following the conversion, the unit was moved to [[RAF]] [[Kolar]]. This period was marked by a number of accidents resulting in the loss of two promising officers in Pilot Officers JM Bose and MU Haq.

In April 1946, No. 3 Squadron became the first RIAF Squadron to be equipped with the [[Hawker Tempest|Hawker Tempest II fighter bomber]]. This was completed by December 1946 and command of the unit was assigned to Sqn Ldr Mohan Dev Suri in January 1947, which was followed by a move to [[Pune]]. There it remained for a considerable part of the year, giving displays over neighbouring towns and cities. Puri's command was unfortunately short-lived, however; his aircraft went down in bad weather over the [[Western Ghats]]. In a run of bad fortune, the next commanding officer, Sqn Ldr AR Pandit, also suffered severe injuries when his Tempest crashed whilst taking off on 9 December 1947. Pandit's replacement was Sqn Ldr KS Bhat, an ex [[Vultee A-31 Vengeance|Vengeance]] pilot from [[No. 7 Squadron IAF|No. 7 Squadron]]. Accidents continued into 1948. Plt Offr Coelho was lost in a crash in July 1948. There were several other 'write-off' cases that were non-fatal. Flt Lt LRD Blunt arrived from Ambala to give dual checks to newly arrived pilots in an effort to decrease accidents.

==Hyderabad operations==
{{Main|Operation Polo}}

No. 3's first post-independence commitment came to be in support of the Indian army during the [[Operation Polo|annexation of Hyderabad]] in September 1948. Following the Transfer of Power on 15 August of that year, the [[Nizam of Hyderabad|Nizam]] had, sought to maintain i's independent status and refused to accede and sought arbitrations in the UN and political (and possibly military) help from Pakistan. With military intervention imminent, No. 3 flew from [[Poona]] on a number of reconnaissance sorties over the State of Hyderabad. After the launch of [[Operation Polo]], No. 3, along with No. 4 Squadron flying from Gannavaram, became involved in [[close air support]] to the advancing Indian troops. The unit also flew strafing missions against the airfield at [[Hakimpet]] and later strafed a parade of [[Razakars (Hyderabad)|Razakars]] at [[Gulbarga]]. The operations were however essentially small scale.

The unit continued operating its Tempests from Pune after the annexation of Hyderabad, but following a spate of accidents in the following years, the unit was re-equipped first with [[De Havilland Vampire|Vampire FB 52]]s in December 1952 and then with [[Dassault Ouragan]]s in February 1954. The unit regularly played a part in the spectacle of [[Republic Day of India|Republic Day parades]], and in ceremonial occasions, such as the Passing out Parade of [[Dehradun]]. In December 1954, No. 3 escorted the aircraft carrying Marshal [[Josip Broz Tito]] of [[Yugoslavia]]. The unit had, by this time, moved to [[Jamnagar]] for armament training.

In January 1956, Flt Lt Jagat Lowe carried out the first crash-landing of an Ouragan when his nosewheel failed to lock on. In May 1958, the unit replaced its Ouragans with [[Dassault Mystère IV|Dassault Mystère]]s soon after its move to Kalaikunda AB. In May, 57 Sqn Ldr Bose had taken over as the CO of the unit. A batch of six pilots were sent to France for training. Conversion training finished by June but not before the squadron got the dubious honour of having the first Mystère ejection in the IAF: Fg Offr Sahni ejected during a training flight. A year later, there was another fatality, as Flt Lt C S Raj died when his Mystère crashed during a low level sortie.

No. 3 did not participate in operations in [[Portuguese India#After India.27s independence|Goa]] or during the [[Sino-Indian War]]. It was left out on standby at Kalaikunda, but never really got called into action.

==The Indo-Pakistani War of 1965==
{{Main|Indo-Pakistani War of 1965}}

No. 3 was put on standby when the initial skirmishes broke out in the [[Rann of Kutch]], and remained on alert through August with the pilots flying on regular training and recce sorties. The unit had been assigned a new CO, Wg Cdr Paul Robey, in April. The first offensive sorties were undertaken on the evening of 1 September, when No. 3, along with Squadron No. 31, flew 16 sorties in 45 minutes against Pakistani Armour at Chamb.<ref name=Bharat-rakshak.com1965>[http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/History/1965War/Chapter3.html Air Attack-Outbreak of the war (Sept 1st–6th). Bharat Rakshak, 1965 Air Operations] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130706030406/http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/History/1965War/Chapter3.html |date=6 July 2013 }}</ref> The first missions were launched immediately following a strike mission by a [[De Havilland Vampire|Vampire]] flight of the No. 45 Squadron that went disastrously wrong. The [[Pakistan Air Force|PAF]], which had provided air cover against the earlier disastrous mission undertaken by the [[De Havilland Vampire|Vampire]]s, chose not to provide opposition<ref name="Bharat-rakshak.com1965"/> and before the end of the day, the Pakistani offensive had been blunted.

No.3 continued to provide [[ground support]] in these initial days of the conflict, which was shaping up even before the formal breach of the [[Intelligence Bureau (India)|IB]]. On 3 September, Cobras flew as part of a larger formation in what came to be the first of the [[sabre baiting mission]]s. Flying at dawn from [[Pathankot]] towards Chhamb, the Mystères lured out a roving [[Combat air patrol|CAP]] of six [[F-86 Sabre|Sabres]] and two [[F-104 Starfighter|Starfighters]]. Attempting to intercept the Mystères, the interceptors themselves flew into the trap set by the [[Folland Gnat|Gnats]] of [[No. 23 Squadron IAF|No. 23 Sqn]]. The ensuing battle claimed the first of IAF's jet-to-jet kills, when Sqn. Ldr. Trevor Keelor shot down one of the intercepting Sabres with cannon fire.<ref name=Tribune>[http://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20021209/ncr1.htm "A jolly good daredevil who shot down enemy planes" by Parmindar Singh ''The Tribune'', Chandigarh, 9 December 2002]</ref> The next day was to see a repeat of the story, when Flt Lt V S Pathania, escorting a four ship mission from No. 3, shot down a Sabre over the town of [[Akhnur]].

Throughout the following two days, No. 3 flew a number of sorties against targets of opportunity. Though on 6 September, No. 3 faced a dusk raid on Pathankot by the [[Pakistan Air Force|PAF]], which destroyed four of its Mystères on the ground, along with two Mystères from the No. 31 Squadron, two [[MiG-21]]s from [[No. 28 Squadron IAF|No. 28 Squadron]], a Gnat and a [[Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar|Fairchild C-119]].<ref name="Bharat-rakshak.com1965"/><ref name=defencejournal>[http://www.defencejournal.com/2000/sept/pathankot.htm Devastation of Pathankot Gp Capt S M Hali. Defence Journal, September, 2000]</ref> The strike, led by Sqd Ldr Sajad Haider, was carried out by an eight-ship mission of Sabres of the PAF's No. 19 Sqn flying from [[Peshawar]]. The war of the bases had begun.

In the retaliatory air strike that followed the next day, No. 3 was assigned on strikes against the Pakistani airfields of Chander and Rahwali. The first of these strikes, a three ship mission led by Sqn Ldr Jasbir Singh, found the airfields at Chander and Rahwali abandoned. Nonetheless, the mission took out a Pakistani [[radar]] installation operating at Rahwali. Tragically, Singh's Mystere crashed into the ground during the return leg, killing the officer.<ref name=Bharat-rakshak.com1965 />

A change of command occurred midway, as Wg Cdr S Bhattacharya took over from Paul Robey, who had fallen sick.

No. 3 Sqn continued [[Air interdiction|interdiction]] and [[Close Air Support|CAS]] missions throughout the remainder of the war. The unit successfully flew in interdiction against Pakistani Armour in the Chawinda area, destroying a sizeable enemy concentration on 19 September.

During the last mission of the war, on 22 December, Fg offr Ramchandani's Mystere was shot down in [[friendly fire]] near [[Lahore]]. Although ejected safely, he was fired upon while descending by parachute. Ramchandani sustained injuries and died in the hospital on 26 September.

Throughout the war, No. 3 Squadron put in 290 sorties in twenty two days. The unit lost two Mystères and two pilots in operational accidents: Sqd Ldr Jasbir Singh died when he flew into the ground, and Fg Offr Ramchandani was killed by friendly fire. Four Mystères were lost on the ground to the PAF air raid at Pathankot in the opening stages of the war. The unit did not suffer any losses in air-to-air combat.

The No. 3 Sqn's efforts were recognised by the award of Four [[VrC]]s, one of which was awarded posthumously to Sqn Ldr Jasbir Singh, for the strike against Rahwali Radar station.

==Bangladesh War, 1971==
{{Main|Indo-Pakistani War of 1971}}
{{See also|East Pakistan Operations 1971|Operation Chengiz Khan}}

At [[Operation Chengiz Khan|the outbreak]] of [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971|the war]], No. 3 Sqn was tasked with [[Air interdiction|interdiction]], [[ground support]] and [[reconnaissance]] roles in support of [[Indian Army|IX Corps]] in the Fazilka and Suleimanke areas<ref name=bharat-rakshak.com>[http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/History/Sqn/003.html#1971 Bharat-rakshak.com. '''History of the No. 3 Sqn''' 1971 Operations]</ref> of the Kashmir and Chhamb Sector under the [[Western Air Command]].<ref name= acig>[http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_330.shtml Cooper T and Shaiz A "India – Pakistan War, 1971; Western Front, Part I". Air Combat Information Group 29 Oct 2003]</ref>

The unit had moved to [[Hindon Air Force Station|Hindon Airbase]] in July 1971, and was still operating Mystère IVAs. At the start of the war, the Cobras were moved to Sirsa and subsequently to Hindon/Halwara<ref name="acig"/> The first of the missions was undertaken on 5 December, two days after the formal declaration of war. Flying in interdiction against targets in the Christian Mandi area, the Cobras destroyed a fuel train in their first strike. Over the following days, the Cobras hit troop and armour concentrations and ammunition dumps in the Haveli Pattan and Fazilka Suleimanke area. In interdictions against secondary targets, the Cobras also hit and destroyed entire railway yards, tank transport train and rail bridges. The Cobras' role in these missions are judged to be one of the main reasons for the failure of the Pakistani Strike Corps to launch their attack on India.<ref name="bharat-rakshak.com"/>

During these missions, No. 3 Sqn lost two machines, one due to engine failure in the initial stages of the war, the other to [[Anti-aircraft warfare|ground fire]] when Sqn Ldr JD Kumar's Mystere was hit by AA during a photorecce sortie over the Fazilka on 13 December. The pilot was killed in an unsuccessful ejection.<ref name= bharat-rakshak.comRollofHonour>[http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/History/Roll/1971-2.html "Indian Air Force Roll of Honour 1971 War" Pg 2. Bharat-rakshak.com]</ref>

The Squadron received two Vir Chakra awards: one went to CO Wg Cdr Dogra; the other went to Sqn Ldr Jasjit Singh.<ref name=BRAwards>[http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Awards/db/unitpage.php?qunit=3%20Squadron&qaward=all "Gallantry & Service Awards of the Indian Air Force" Awards for 3 Squadron. Bharat-rakshak.com]</ref><ref name= BRGallantry>[http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/History/1971War/Appendix1.html "IAF Gallantry Awards for the 1971 Air War" Bharat-rakshak.com]</ref> The unit also won one Mention-in-Dispatches and five CAS commendations.<ref name= BR>[http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Awards/index.html "Gallantry & Service Awards of the Indian Air Force. World War 1, World War 2 and Post Independence." Bharat-Rakshak.com]</ref>

==Present==
[[Image:Mig21 of No3Sqn.jpg|thumb|250px|right|A [[Mig 21]]bis of the No. 3 Sqn at Pathankot AB. The Cobra ensignia can be seen fairly visibly.]]

No. 3 Sqn moved back to [[Hindon Air Force Station|Hindon Airbase]] after the war and in January 1972 started converting to the [[Mig 21]]FL and completed conversion in April of the year. It moved back from Hindon to Pathankot in 1975, and on 18 March, No. 3 Squadron became only the third Squadron in the [[Indian Air Force|IAF]]'s history to receive Squadron [[Ensign|Standards]].

In July 1980, the MiG-21FLs were exchanged for the MiG-21Bis and conversion was completed October of the year. In 2002, the unit converted to the Mig 21 Bison which are currently in operation. The Cobras celebrated their Diamond Jubilee in October 2002.

In May 2019, it became the first squadron to host a fully commissioned women fighter pilot [[Bhawana Kanth]] of the [[Indian Air Force]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/flight-lieutenant-bhawana-kanth-is-indias-first-woman-pilot-to-qualify-for-combat-missions-2041527|title= Bhawana Kanth Is India's First Woman Pilot to Qualify for Combat Missions |publisher=NDTV|access-date=23 May 2022}}</ref>

==Aircraft==
{| class="wikitable"
|+
! Aircraft !! From !! To !! Air Base
|-
! colspan='4'|Pre-Independence (1941–47)
|-
| [[Hawker Hart|Hawker Audax]] || 1 October 1941 || October 1943 || [[Bacha Khan International Airport|Peshawar]]<ref name="sq10">{{cite web|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Database/Units/3+Sqn|title=No.3 Squadron Winged Daggers|publisher=Bharat Rakshak|access-date=2021-06-21}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Unitss/squadrons/3-squadron-cobras.html#gsc.tab=0|title=No.3 Squadron|publisher=Bharat Rakshak|first=Jagan|last=Pillarisetti|date=2017-06-17|access-date=2021-06-21}}</ref>
|-
| [[Hawker Hurricane|Hawker Hurricane IIC]] || December 1943 || December 1945 || rowspan='3'|[[Risalpur]]
|-
| [[North American T-6 Texan|Harvard IIB]] || October 1945 || September 1947
|-
| [[Supermarine Spitfire|Spitfire VIII]] || November 1945 || January 1947
|-
! colspan='4'|Post-Independence (1947–Present)
|-
| [[Hawker Tempest|Hawker Tempest II]]|| October 1946 || December 1952 || [[Pune Airport|AFS Pune]]
|-
| [[de Havilland Vampire|Vampire FB52]]|| January 1953 || March 1954 ||
|-
| [[Dassault Ouragan]]|| May 1954 || May 1958 ||
|-
| rowspan='2'|[[Dassault Mystère IV]]|| July 1958 || August 1963 || [[Kalaikunda Air Force Station|AFS Kalaikunda]]
|-
| September 1963 || March 1972 || rowspan='4'|[[Pathankot Airport|AFS Pathankot]]
|-
| [[MiG-21|MiG-21 FL]]|| April 1972 || July 1980
|-
| [[MiG-21|MiG-21 bis]] || 1 October 1980 || July 2002
|-
| [[MiG-21|MiG-21 Bison]]|| August 2002 || Present
|}

==See also==
*[[First Kashmir War]]
*[[Kargil War]]
*[[Operation Safed Sagar]]

==References==
===Notes===
{{Reflist|35em}}

===Bibliography===
{{Refbegin}}
* Halley, James J. ''The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force & Commonwealth, 1818–1988''. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd., 1988. {{ISBN|0-85130-164-9}}.
* Sabharwal, Wing Commander D.P. (Retd.). ''Cobras: 3 Squadron Indian Air Force Diamond Jubilee''. No. 3 Squadron IAF, 2002.
{{Refend}}

==External links==
*[http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/History/Sqn/003.html No. 3 Squadron, Indian Air Force] ''[[Bharat Rakshak]]''
*[http://indianairforce.nic.in Official website of the Indian Air Force]
{{Indian Air Force}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2022}}

[[Category:Indian Air Force aircraft squadrons|003]]
[[Category:1941 establishments in India]]