No. 4 Squadron IAF - Revision history

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← Older revision		Revision as of 20:43, 31 August 2022
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	{{Use dmy dates\|date=December ~~2022~~}}		{{Use dmy dates\|date=December 2015}}
	{{Use Indian English\|date=December ~~2022~~}}		{{Use Indian English\|date=December 2015}}
	{{more citations needed\|date=February ~~2022~~}}		{{more citations needed\|date=February 2020}}
	{{Infobox military unit		{{Infobox military unit
	\|unit_name= No. 4 Squadron		\|unit_name= No. 4 Squadron
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	\|aircraft_transport=		\|aircraft_transport=
	}}		}}
	'''No. 4 Squadron IAF (Oorials)''' is a fighter squadron of the [[Indian Air Force]] (IAF) equipped with the [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21\|MiG-21 Bison]], based at [[Uttarlai Air Force Station]] in [[Uttarlai]] in Barmer, Rajasthan, [[India]]. Since its establishment during the [[South-East Asian theatre of World War II]], No. 4 Squadron remains the only fighter squadron other than [[No. 3 Squadron IAF]] and [[No. 7 Squadron IAF]] to remain continuously in existence in the service of India.<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=3 December ~~2022~~}}</ref><ref name="BR1JP">{{cite web\|last=Pillarisetti\|first=Jagan\|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Units/Squadrons/4-Squadron.html#gsc.tab=0\|title=No.4 Squadron\|publisher=Bharat Rakshak\|access-date=30 June ~~2022~~}}</ref>		'''No. 4 Squadron IAF (Oorials)''' is a fighter squadron of the [[Indian Air Force]] (IAF) equipped with the [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21\|MiG-21 Bison]], based at [[Uttarlai Air Force Station]] in [[Uttarlai]] in Barmer, Rajasthan, [[India]]. Since its establishment during the [[South-East Asian theatre of World War II]], No. 4 Squadron remains the only fighter squadron other than [[No. 3 Squadron IAF]] and [[No. 7 Squadron IAF]] to remain continuously in existence in the service of India.<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=3 December 2015}}</ref><ref name="BR1JP">{{cite web\|last=Pillarisetti\|first=Jagan\|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Units/Squadrons/4-Squadron.html#gsc.tab=0\|title=No.4 Squadron\|publisher=Bharat Rakshak\|access-date=30 June 2020}}</ref>

	== Crest ==		== Crest ==

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2022-08-31T15:13:22Z

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← Older revision		Revision as of 20:43, 31 August 2022
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	{{Use dmy dates\|date=December ~~2015~~}}		{{Use dmy dates\|date=December 2022}}
	{{Use Indian English\|date=December ~~2015~~}}		{{Use Indian English\|date=December 2022}}
	{{more citations needed\|date=February ~~2020~~}}		{{more citations needed\|date=February 2022}}
	{{Infobox military unit		{{Infobox military unit
	\|unit_name= No. 4 Squadron		\|unit_name= No. 4 Squadron
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	\|aircraft_bomber=		\|aircraft_bomber=
	\|aircraft_electronic=		\|aircraft_electronic=
	\|aircraft_fighter=[[~~Mikoyan-Gurevich~~ MiG-21\|~~Mikoyan-Gurevich~~ MiG-21 Bison]]		\|aircraft_fighter=[[MiG-21\|MiG-21 Bison]]
	\|aircraft_recon=		\|aircraft_recon=
	\|aircraft_trainer=		\|aircraft_trainer=
	\|aircraft_transport=		\|aircraft_transport=
	}}		}}
	'''No. 4 Squadron IAF (Oorials)''' is a fighter squadron of the [[Indian Air Force]] (IAF) equipped with the [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21\|MiG-21 Bison]], based at [[Uttarlai Air Force Station]] in [[Uttarlai]] in Barmer, Rajasthan, [[India]]. Since its establishment during the [[South-East Asian theatre of World War II]], No. 4 Squadron remains the only fighter squadron other than [[No. 3 Squadron IAF]] and [[No. 7 Squadron IAF]] to remain continuously in existence in the service of India.<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=3 December ~~2015~~}}</ref><ref name="BR1JP">{{cite web\|last=Pillarisetti\|first=Jagan\|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Units/Squadrons/4-Squadron.html#gsc.tab=0\|title=No.4 Squadron\|publisher=Bharat Rakshak\|access-date=30 June ~~2020~~}}</ref>		'''No. 4 Squadron IAF (Oorials)''' is a fighter squadron of the [[Indian Air Force]] (IAF) equipped with the [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21\|MiG-21 Bison]], based at [[Uttarlai Air Force Station]] in [[Uttarlai]] in Barmer, Rajasthan, [[India]]. Since its establishment during the [[South-East Asian theatre of World War II]], No. 4 Squadron remains the only fighter squadron other than [[No. 3 Squadron IAF]] and [[No. 7 Squadron IAF]] to remain continuously in existence in the service of India.<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=3 December 2022}}</ref><ref name="BR1JP">{{cite web\|last=Pillarisetti\|first=Jagan\|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Units/Squadrons/4-Squadron.html#gsc.tab=0\|title=No.4 Squadron\|publisher=Bharat Rakshak\|access-date=30 June 2022}}</ref>

	== Crest ==		== Crest ==
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	\| 1960 \|\| February 1966 \|\| rowspan='2'\| [[Tezpur Airport\|AFS Tezpur]]		\| 1960 \|\| February 1966 \|\| rowspan='2'\| [[Tezpur Airport\|AFS Tezpur]]
	\|-		\|-
	\| [[MiG-21\|MiG-~~21 FL~~]] \|\| February 1966 \|\| February 1980		\| [[MiG-21\|MiG-21FL]] \|\| February 1966 \|\| February 1980
	\|-		\|-
	\| [[MiG-21\|MiG-~~21 bis~~]] \|\| February 1980 \|\| February 2004 \|\| rowspan='2'\|[[Uttarlai Air Force Station\|AFS Uttarlai]]		\| [[MiG-21\|MiG-21bis]] \|\| February 1980 \|\| February 2004 \|\| rowspan='2'\|[[Uttarlai Air Force Station\|AFS Uttarlai]]
	\|-		\|-
	\| [[MiG-21\|MiG-21 Bison]] \|\| February 2004 \|\| Present		\| [[MiG-21\|MiG-21 Bison]] \|\| February 2004 \|\| Present

imported>Shashpant: /* Aircraft */

2021-06-23T06:24:12Z

Aircraft

New page

{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2015}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2015}}
{{more citations needed|date=February 2020}}
{{Infobox military unit
|unit_name= No. 4 Squadron
|image=
|caption=
|dates= 1 February 1942 - Present
|country={{flagicon|India}} [[Republic of India]]
|allegiance=
|branch={{air force|India}}
|type=
|role=[[Air superiority]] [[Precision Strike]] [[Air interdiction|Interdiction]]
|size=
|command_structure=
|garrison=[[Uttarlai Air Force Station]]
|garrison_label=
|nickname="Oorials"
|patron=
|motto=''Maan Par Jaan'' (Death over Dishonour)
|colors=
|colors_label=
|march=
|mascot=
|equipment=
|equipment_label=
|battles=[[Burma Campaign]] [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965]] [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]]
|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=[[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21|Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 Bison]]
|aircraft_recon=
|aircraft_trainer=
|aircraft_transport=
}}
'''No. 4 Squadron IAF (Oorials)''' is a fighter squadron of the [[Indian Air Force]] (IAF) equipped with the [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21|MiG-21 Bison]], based at [[Uttarlai Air Force Station]] in [[Uttarlai]] in Barmer, Rajasthan, [[India]]. Since its establishment during the [[South-East Asian theatre of World War II]], No. 4 Squadron remains the only fighter squadron other than [[No. 3 Squadron IAF]] and [[No. 7 Squadron IAF]] to remain continuously in existence in the service of India.<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=3 December 2015}}</ref><ref name="BR1JP">{{cite web|last=Pillarisetti|first=Jagan|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Units/Squadrons/4-Squadron.html#gsc.tab=0|title=No.4 Squadron|publisher=Bharat Rakshak|access-date=30 June 2020}}</ref>

== Crest ==
The squadron adopted the 'Oorial head' as its emblem in December 1944 shortly before the Supreme Allied Commander of [[South East Asia Command]] [[Lord Louis Mountbatten]] visited the squadron. The squadron crest consists of an Oorial head with the Ashoka on top and the squadron Motto 'Honour unto death' written below. When the squadron was formed at Peshawar the Afghan tribals used to conduct regular fights amongst the local mountain sheep known as the Oorial; a subspecies of the [[Urial]], with a red coat. The Oorial is a wild horned mountain sheep, with a very lengthened sense of smell and sight. They have the ability to climb the steepest hillsides with remarkable ease, and are even wary and alert with significant strength and endurance. This animal has the ability of being a ferocious fighter that continues the fight to death rather than lose face and honour by turning away.<ref name="BR">[http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Units/Squadrons/4-Squadron.html No.4 Squadron], [[Bharat Rakshak]]</ref>

== History ==
[[File:Mig21atkalai.jpg|thumb|250px|left|Indian Air Force MiG-21 Bison]]
No. 4 Squadron of the [[Indian Air Force]] was first formed at [[Peshawar]] on 1 February 1942. Squadron Leader Habib Ullah 'Bulbul' Khan was its first [[commanding officer]].<ref name="BR" /> The squadron was first equipped with [[Westland Lysander]] aircraft. The [[Second World War]] was in its third year, and Japanese forces were advancing towards India's eastern frontiers in the [[South-East Asian theatre of World War II]]. Within a few days, the squadron moved to [[Kohat]] where it would conduct missions over rebel-held areas of the [[North-West Frontier Province]] (NWFP).<ref name="BR1JP" />

In 1942 the squadron moved on a detachment to [[Hyderabad, Sindh]], to operate in support of the army during operations against the [[Hurs]]. The Indian Army was then dealing with the insurrection instigated by [[Faqir Ipi]].

During 1942, the squadron also operated Lysander detachments from [[Miranshah]], a forward base in the North-West Frontier Province, for action against insurgent [[Pashtuns]] in [[North Waziristan]]. During this period the squadron operated its aircraft as bombers, besides carrying out its army air cooperation role, tactical reconnaissance and mail dropping missions.<ref name="BR1JP" />

In June 1942, the squadron moved to the RAF station at [[Risalpur]], near Rawalpindi, for converting onto the [[Hawker Hurricane]] fighter bombers. The conversion training was completed by August 1942 and No. 4 Squadron moved to [[Phaphamau]] to collect its branch new Hurricane IIC aircraft.<ref name="BR1JP" />

In September 1943 the squadron moved from Phaphamau to [[Bhopal]] for air-to-air armament training. It was a disastrous move, as out of the 12 Hurricanes that took off, 3 crashed due to bad weather.

On completion of armament training, the squadron moved to [[Sulur]] in November 1943 to practice for eventual operations in Burma. In February 1944, the squadron moved to Ranchi to carry out special low flying and ground attack training before moving to the front for its operational tour to Burma.

In March 1944, the squadron moved to [[Fenny Airfield]] for operations against the [[Burma campaign|Japanese occupation of Burma]]. The role of the squadron was to provide close air support to the British [[Fourteenth Army (United Kingdom)|Fourteenth Army]] campaign. It was from Fenny Airfield that the squadron carried out its first operational sorties by providing fighter escort for [[Douglas C-47 Skytrain|Dakota]] transport aircraft, engaged in supply dropping missions for the [[Northern Combat Area Command]] in northern [[Burma]].<ref name="BR1JP" />

From August 1944 to January 1945, the squadron was based at [[Cox's Bazar]] to relieve [[No. 6 Squadron RAF]] and carried out close air support, interdiction and tactical reconnaissance operations.

As the British [[Fourteenth Army (United Kingdom)|Fourteenth Army]] pushed the Japanese forces southwards and moved towards [[Rangoon]], No. 4 Squadron was constantly on the move and kept moving from one advanced landing ground to another.

In December 1944, the [[Burma campaign 1944–45|Third Arakan Offensive]] began. The objective being to capture the Maya peninsula [[Akyab]], Ramree island and to contain the Japanese in the Arkan and prevent them from crossing the Arakan Yoma and interfering with the advance of the British Fourteenth Army. No. 4 Squadron operated in direct support of the land forces and bombed Japanese strongpoints at Haparabyin and Ratheduang. During the landing of the Indian troops at Kangow, the squadron laid a smoke screen on the beach to enable safe landing of the troops. In recognition of the services rendered, the squadron's personnel were awarded one [[Distinguished Service Order|DSO]], four [[Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)|DFC]]s and one [[Order of the British Empire|MBE]]. It is at this time that the squadron adopted the Oorial head as its emblem.

In April 1945, No. 4 Squadron was transferred back to India, ferrying back 9 Hurricanes for conversion onto [[Spitfire]] aircraft. By end of 14 May Spitfire Mk VIIIs were received and conversion training commenced in June. The squadron took part in the [[Victory over Japan Day]] parade at Madras by carrying out a flypast.

In August 1945, the squadron was intimated of the possibility of the Oorials moving to Japan as part of the [[British Commonwealth Occupation Force]]. This was a singular honour for the Royal Indian Air Force and for No. 4 Squadron in particular. Short take off and landing procedures were practiced in preparation for the move to Japan as it was envisaged that the aircraft would be flown off the aircraft carrier onto onshore airfields. The Spitfire had pneumatically operated flaps which could be lowered fully for landing or raised fully up. The squadron devised a method of getting 15 degrees of flaps by inserting wooden wedges.

On 8 April 1946, [[HMS Vengeance (R71)|HMS Vengeance]] sailed with 22 aircraft of No. 4 Squadron, berthed at Singapore for refueling and set course for [[Iwakuni]], a port of Kyushu island. The aircraft carrier finally arrived at [[Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni|Air Station Iwakuni]] and was anchored midstream. The decision taken earlier to fly the aircraft off the carrier was changed since excellent facilities were provided for off-loading and transporting the aircraft.

The squadron was given a temporary base at Air Station Iwakuni until the rest of the personnel arrived. Shortly thereafter, the squadron moved to its permanent location at Miho on Sloustin Island. From here the squadron undertook various flying tasks which were mainly maritime patrol over the sea to ensure there was no subversive activity or smuggling. The stay at Miho was an interesting one and a lot of extracurricular functions were undertaken.

The flight commanders Flight Lieutenant [[Nur Khan]] and Flight Lieutenant [[Shirpurkar]] evolved a pattern of formation flying depicting the letters "IAF". This being the first time such letters were seen in the sky. There were occasional exercises carried out to display the air strength to the local populations while large formations were flown over the big cities.

The squadron returned to India in February 1947 and was located at [[Kanpur]]. They were here when the country achieved independence. In October 1947, the squadron was re-equipped with [[Hawker Tempest#Tempest II|Hawker Tempest IIs]] and became the training squadron for the Indian Air Force.<ref name=BR/>

===Assignments===
*[[Burma Campaign]]
*[[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965]]
*[[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]]

==Aircraft==
{| class="wikitable"
|+
! Aircraft !! From !! To !! Air Base
|-
! colspan='4'|Pre-Independence (1942–47)
|-
| [[Westland Lysander]] || March 1942 || July 1943 || [[Bacha Khan International Airport|Peshawar]]<ref name="sq1">{{cite web|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Database/Units/4+Sqn|title=No.4 Squadron|publisher=Bharat Rakshak|access-date=2021-06-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Unitss/squadrons/4-4-squadron.html#gsc.tab=0|title=No.4 Squadron|publisher=Bharat Rakshak|first=Jagan|last=Pillarisetti|date=2017-06-14|access-date=2021-06-21}}</ref>
|-
| [[Hawker_Hurricane#Variants|Hawker Hurricane Mk IIC]] || October 1943 || May 1945 || [[Risalpur]]
|-
| [[Supermarine Spitfire|Spitfire VIII]] || July 1945 || March 1946 || [[Cox's Bazar]]
|-
! colspan='4'|Post-Independence (1947–Present)
|-
| [[Hawker Tempest|Hawker Tempest II]] || November 1947 || October 1955 || [[Pune Airport|AFS Pune]]
|-
| [[de Havilland Vampire|Vampire FB52]] || October 1955 || February 1957 || [[Halwara Air Force Station|AFS Halwara]]
|-
| rowspan='2'|[[Dassault Ouragan]] || February 1958 || 1960 || [[Indira Gandhi International Airport|AFS Palam]]
|-
| 1960 || February 1966 || rowspan='2'| [[Tezpur Airport|AFS Tezpur]]
|-
| [[MiG-21|MiG-21 FL]] || February 1966 || February 1980
|-
| [[MiG-21|MiG-21 bis]] || February 1980 || February 2004 || rowspan='2'|[[Uttarlai Air Force Station|AFS Uttarlai]]
|-
| [[MiG-21|MiG-21 Bison]] || February 2004 || Present
|}

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Indian Air Force}}

[[Category:Indian Air Force aircraft squadrons|004]]
[[Category:1942 establishments in India]]
[[Category:British Commonwealth Occupation Force]]