No. 7 Squadron IAF - Revision history

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← Older revision		Revision as of 19:51, 8 November 2022
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	{{Use Indian English\|date=December ~~2022~~}}		{{Use Indian English\|date=December 2015}}
	{{Infobox military unit		{{Infobox military unit
	\|unit_name= No. 7 Squadron		\|unit_name= No. 7 Squadron
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	No. 7 Squadron Sqn has as its emblem two unfolded wings adorning a [[Farsha]] (Battle-axe) and the symbolic number '''7''' attached to the shaft. Below this crest, on a scroll were the letters '''Shatrunjay''' (Close English Translation: Vanquisher of the enemy). This logo was officially approved by [[President of India\|President]] on 26 September 1960, and has adorned aircraft that No. 7 Squadron has flown since.		No. 7 Squadron Sqn has as its emblem two unfolded wings adorning a [[Farsha]] (Battle-axe) and the symbolic number '''7''' attached to the shaft. Below this crest, on a scroll were the letters '''Shatrunjay''' (Close English Translation: Vanquisher of the enemy). This logo was officially approved by [[President of India\|President]] on 26 September 1960, and has adorned aircraft that No. 7 Squadron has flown since.

	[[File:Mirage2000H of the IAF.jpg\|thumb\|250px\|left\|A [[Mirage 2000]] of the No. 7 Squadron.]] <!-- FAIR USE of Mirage2000H_of_the_IAF.jpg: see image description page at http://en.~~bharatdata~~.org/wiki/Image:Mirage2000H_of_the_IAF.jpg for rationale -->		[[File:Mirage2000H of the IAF.jpg\|thumb\|250px\|left\|A [[Mirage 2000]] of the No. 7 Squadron.]] <!-- FAIR USE of Mirage2000H_of_the_IAF.jpg: see image description page at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Mirage2000H_of_the_IAF.jpg for rationale -->

	==History==		==History==
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	==Independence and Kashmir Operations 1947-48==		==Independence and Kashmir Operations 1947-48==
	<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:No.7 Tempest.jpg\|thumb\|200px\|left\|Tempest fighters of Indian Air Force in 1947. The Planes show the [[Chakra]] [[roundel]]s of the early IAF planes.]] --><!-- FAIR USE of No.7_Tempest.jpg: see image description page at http://en.~~bharatdata~~.org/wiki/Image:No.7_Tempest.jpg for rationale -->		<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:No.7 Tempest.jpg\|thumb\|200px\|left\|Tempest fighters of Indian Air Force in 1947. The Planes show the [[Chakra]] [[roundel]]s of the early IAF planes.]] --><!-- FAIR USE of No.7_Tempest.jpg: see image description page at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:No.7_Tempest.jpg for rationale -->

	At the time of the [[Partition of India\|partition]] No. 7 was based at [[Risalpur]], having converted to the [[Hawker Tempest\|Tempest]] in June 1947. No.7 Squadron was one of the units allocated to India after the division of the Assets between the two new nations of India and Pakistan. After partition, the unit moved to [[Agra]] and was operational within two months of Independence.		At the time of the [[Partition of India\|partition]] No. 7 was based at [[Risalpur]], having converted to the [[Hawker Tempest\|Tempest]] in June 1947. No.7 Squadron was one of the units allocated to India after the division of the Assets between the two new nations of India and Pakistan. After partition, the unit moved to [[Agra]] and was operational within two months of Independence.
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	The Squadron redeployed at Palam on a permanent basis in February 1948. Missions over [[Kashmir\|J&K]] from the Advanced Landing Ground at [[Amritsar]]. These missions were flown in the [[Poonch (town)\|Poonch]] area and against [[Skardu]] airfield, as well as the Tithwal area. Wg Cdr Ranjan Dutt along with some pilots of 7 Sqn flew to attack the bridge at Domel. The squadron would suffer two fatalities, Fg Offr Balwant Singh and Fg Offr DG Baptiste to ground fire.		The Squadron redeployed at Palam on a permanent basis in February 1948. Missions over [[Kashmir\|J&K]] from the Advanced Landing Ground at [[Amritsar]]. These missions were flown in the [[Poonch (town)\|Poonch]] area and against [[Skardu]] airfield, as well as the Tithwal area. Wg Cdr Ranjan Dutt along with some pilots of 7 Sqn flew to attack the bridge at Domel. The squadron would suffer two fatalities, Fg Offr Balwant Singh and Fg Offr DG Baptiste to ground fire.
	In August 1948, the squadron set up base in Srinagar and provided support to the army operations near the [[Zoji La]] pass. [[Gilgit Airport\|Gilgit]] airfield was bombed by Tempests on 4 November 1948. For its role, No. 7 Sqn would win five Vir Chakras.		In August 1948, the squadron set up base in Srinagar and provided support to the army operations near the [[Zoji La]] pass. [[Gilgit Airport\|Gilgit]] airfield was bombed by Tempests on 4 November 1948. For its role, No. 7 Sqn would win five Vir Chakras.
	[[File:No.7 Vampire.jpg\|thumb\|225px\|right\|One of the first three Vampires to be delivered to the Indian Air Force. The plane sports the [[Chakra]] [[roundel]]. This aircraft war later incorporated into No. 7 Sqn]]<!-- FAIR USE of No.7_Vampire.jpg: see image description page at http://en.~~bharatdata~~.org/wiki/Image:No.7_Vampire.jpg for rationale -->		[[File:No.7 Vampire.jpg\|thumb\|225px\|right\|One of the first three Vampires to be delivered to the Indian Air Force. The plane sports the [[Chakra]] [[roundel]]. This aircraft war later incorporated into No. 7 Sqn]]<!-- FAIR USE of No.7_Vampire.jpg: see image description page at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:No.7_Vampire.jpg for rationale -->
	In January 1949, the Squadron moved to [[Palam]] where it became the first unit in the [[Indian Air Force\|IAF]] to operate the [[De Havilland Vampire\|Vampire]], which had arrived in November 1948. At that time the squadron was the first unit in the whole of Asia to operate Jet aircraft. The unit now operated one flight with three Vampires and the second flight with Tempests. After converting back to Spitfires in 1949, No. 7 converted to operating only the Vampires in 1951. During this time, No. 7 Sqn came to form the first [[aerobatics]] team.		In January 1949, the Squadron moved to [[Palam]] where it became the first unit in the [[Indian Air Force\|IAF]] to operate the [[De Havilland Vampire\|Vampire]], which had arrived in November 1948. At that time the squadron was the first unit in the whole of Asia to operate Jet aircraft. The unit now operated one flight with three Vampires and the second flight with Tempests. After converting back to Spitfires in 1949, No. 7 converted to operating only the Vampires in 1951. During this time, No. 7 Sqn came to form the first [[aerobatics]] team.

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← Older revision		Revision as of 19:51, 8 November 2022
Line 1:		Line 1:
	{{Use dmy dates\|date=December ~~2015~~}}		{{more citations\|date=November 2022}}
	{{Use Indian English\|date=December ~~2015~~}}		{{Use dmy dates\|date=December 2022}}
			{{Use Indian English\|date=December 2022}}
	{{Infobox military unit		{{Infobox military unit
	\|unit_name= No. 7 Squadron		\|unit_name= No. 7 Squadron
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	No. 7 Squadron Sqn has as its emblem two unfolded wings adorning a [[Farsha]] (Battle-axe) and the symbolic number '''7''' attached to the shaft. Below this crest, on a scroll were the letters '''Shatrunjay''' (Close English Translation: Vanquisher of the enemy). This logo was officially approved by [[President of India\|President]] on 26 September 1960, and has adorned aircraft that No. 7 Squadron has flown since.		No. 7 Squadron Sqn has as its emblem two unfolded wings adorning a [[Farsha]] (Battle-axe) and the symbolic number '''7''' attached to the shaft. Below this crest, on a scroll were the letters '''Shatrunjay''' (Close English Translation: Vanquisher of the enemy). This logo was officially approved by [[President of India\|President]] on 26 September 1960, and has adorned aircraft that No. 7 Squadron has flown since.

	[[File:Mirage2000H of the IAF.jpg\|thumb\|250px\|left\|A [[Mirage 2000]] of the No. 7 Squadron.]] <!-- FAIR USE of Mirage2000H_of_the_IAF.jpg: see image description page at http://en.~~wikipedia~~.org/wiki/Image:Mirage2000H_of_the_IAF.jpg for rationale -->		[[File:Mirage2000H of the IAF.jpg\|thumb\|250px\|left\|A [[Mirage 2000]] of the No. 7 Squadron.]] <!-- FAIR USE of Mirage2000H_of_the_IAF.jpg: see image description page at http://en.bharatdata.org/wiki/Image:Mirage2000H_of_the_IAF.jpg for rationale -->

	==History==		==History==
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	==Independence and Kashmir Operations 1947-48==		==Independence and Kashmir Operations 1947-48==
	<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:No.7 Tempest.jpg\|thumb\|200px\|left\|Tempest fighters of Indian Air Force in 1947. The Planes show the [[Chakra]] [[roundel]]s of the early IAF planes.]] --><!-- FAIR USE of No.7_Tempest.jpg: see image description page at http://en.~~wikipedia~~.org/wiki/Image:No.7_Tempest.jpg for rationale -->		<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:No.7 Tempest.jpg\|thumb\|200px\|left\|Tempest fighters of Indian Air Force in 1947. The Planes show the [[Chakra]] [[roundel]]s of the early IAF planes.]] --><!-- FAIR USE of No.7_Tempest.jpg: see image description page at http://en.bharatdata.org/wiki/Image:No.7_Tempest.jpg for rationale -->

	At the time of the [[Partition of India\|partition]] No. 7 was based at [[Risalpur]], having converted to the [[Hawker Tempest\|Tempest]] in June 1947. No.7 Squadron was one of the units allocated to India after the division of the Assets between the two new nations of India and Pakistan. After partition, the unit moved to [[Agra]] and was operational within two months of Independence.		At the time of the [[Partition of India\|partition]] No. 7 was based at [[Risalpur]], having converted to the [[Hawker Tempest\|Tempest]] in June 1947. No.7 Squadron was one of the units allocated to India after the division of the Assets between the two new nations of India and Pakistan. After partition, the unit moved to [[Agra]] and was operational within two months of Independence.
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	The Squadron redeployed at Palam on a permanent basis in February 1948. Missions over [[Kashmir\|J&K]] from the Advanced Landing Ground at [[Amritsar]]. These missions were flown in the [[Poonch (town)\|Poonch]] area and against [[Skardu]] airfield, as well as the Tithwal area. Wg Cdr Ranjan Dutt along with some pilots of 7 Sqn flew to attack the bridge at Domel. The squadron would suffer two fatalities, Fg Offr Balwant Singh and Fg Offr DG Baptiste to ground fire.		The Squadron redeployed at Palam on a permanent basis in February 1948. Missions over [[Kashmir\|J&K]] from the Advanced Landing Ground at [[Amritsar]]. These missions were flown in the [[Poonch (town)\|Poonch]] area and against [[Skardu]] airfield, as well as the Tithwal area. Wg Cdr Ranjan Dutt along with some pilots of 7 Sqn flew to attack the bridge at Domel. The squadron would suffer two fatalities, Fg Offr Balwant Singh and Fg Offr DG Baptiste to ground fire.
	In August 1948, the squadron set up base in Srinagar and provided support to the army operations near the [[Zoji La]] pass. [[Gilgit Airport\|Gilgit]] airfield was bombed by Tempests on 4 November 1948. For its role, No. 7 Sqn would win five Vir Chakras.		In August 1948, the squadron set up base in Srinagar and provided support to the army operations near the [[Zoji La]] pass. [[Gilgit Airport\|Gilgit]] airfield was bombed by Tempests on 4 November 1948. For its role, No. 7 Sqn would win five Vir Chakras.
	[[File:No.7 Vampire.jpg\|thumb\|225px\|right\|One of the first three Vampires to be delivered to the Indian Air Force. The plane sports the [[Chakra]] [[roundel]]. This aircraft war later incorporated into No. 7 Sqn]]<!-- FAIR USE of No.7_Vampire.jpg: see image description page at http://en.~~wikipedia~~.org/wiki/Image:No.7_Vampire.jpg for rationale -->		[[File:No.7 Vampire.jpg\|thumb\|225px\|right\|One of the first three Vampires to be delivered to the Indian Air Force. The plane sports the [[Chakra]] [[roundel]]. This aircraft war later incorporated into No. 7 Sqn]]<!-- FAIR USE of No.7_Vampire.jpg: see image description page at http://en.bharatdata.org/wiki/Image:No.7_Vampire.jpg for rationale -->
	In January 1949, the Squadron moved to [[Palam]] where it became the first unit in the [[Indian Air Force\|IAF]] to operate the [[De Havilland Vampire\|Vampire]], which had arrived in November 1948. At that time the squadron was the first unit in the whole of Asia to operate Jet aircraft. The unit now operated one flight with three Vampires and the second flight with Tempests. After converting back to Spitfires in 1949, No. 7 converted to operating only the Vampires in 1951. During this time, No. 7 Sqn came to form the first [[aerobatics]] team.		In January 1949, the Squadron moved to [[Palam]] where it became the first unit in the [[Indian Air Force\|IAF]] to operate the [[De Havilland Vampire\|Vampire]], which had arrived in November 1948. At that time the squadron was the first unit in the whole of Asia to operate Jet aircraft. The unit now operated one flight with three Vampires and the second flight with Tempests. After converting back to Spitfires in 1949, No. 7 converted to operating only the Vampires in 1951. During this time, No. 7 Sqn came to form the first [[aerobatics]] team.

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	No. 7's next air-to-air kill was on 16 September, when Fg Offr PS Pingale shot down a F-86 Sabre over Tarn Tarn. His wingman Fg Offr Farokh Dara Bunsha from No. 20 Sqn was shot down and killed. Another aircraft fell on 20 September, when Fg Offr SK Sharma ejected from his badly damaged Hunter was over Kasur on 20 September. The unit however, lost Sqn Ldr DP Chatterjee, who had joined 7 Sqn on deputation from 20 Sqn was killed in the same battle.		No. 7's next air-to-air kill was on 16 September, when Fg Offr PS Pingale shot down a F-86 Sabre over Tarn Tarn. His wingman Fg Offr Farokh Dara Bunsha from No. 20 Sqn was shot down and killed. Another aircraft fell on 20 September, when Fg Offr SK Sharma ejected from his badly damaged Hunter was over Kasur on 20 September. The unit however, lost Sqn Ldr DP Chatterjee, who had joined 7 Sqn on deputation from 20 Sqn was killed in the same battle.

	Although the squadron's figures at the war are not impressive compared to what it would go on to achieve in six years, it remains true that it was seriously limited in its deep penetration strikes, operating ammunition-laden Hunters at maximum range in IAF's strike against bases as deep as PAF Sargodha,.<ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/History/1965War/Chapter4.html \|title=~~Archived copy~~ \|access-date=2011-11-21 \|url-status=dead \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111117222310/http://bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/History/1965War/Chapter4.html \|archive-date=17 November 2011 \|df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \| url=http://www.thunder-and-lightnings.co.uk/hunter/history.html \|title = Thunder & Lightnings - Hawker Hunter - History}}</ref> However, No. 7 squadron- along with the other squadrons operating the Hunter- proved to be invaluable in ground-attack roles. In total, the Battleaxes flew 453 sorties (including 109 CAP) amounting to nearly 333 Hours, expending 218 rockets and 13000 lbs of bombs. In the course of the war, the squadron flew a total of 128 strike missions and 46 Combat Air Patrol sorties. Three pilots were killed along with another two on deputation from 20 Sqn. Nine aircraft were lost in the course of the war. For their contribution, No. 7 was awarded 4 [[VrC]]s (S Malik, AS Lamba, PS Pingale and AR Ghandhi) and five [[Mentioned in Dispatches\|mentioned in dispatches]].		Although the squadron's figures at the war are not impressive compared to what it would go on to achieve in six years, it remains true that it was seriously limited in its deep penetration strikes, operating ammunition-laden Hunters at maximum range in IAF's strike against bases as deep as PAF Sargodha,.<ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/History/1965War/Chapter4.html \|title=The Reply - Air Battles of September 7th \|access-date=2011-11-21 \|url-status=dead \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111117222310/http://bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/History/1965War/Chapter4.html \|archive-date=17 November 2011 \|df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \| url=http://www.thunder-and-lightnings.co.uk/hunter/history.html \|title = Thunder & Lightnings - Hawker Hunter - History}}</ref> However, No. 7 squadron- along with the other squadrons operating the Hunter- proved to be invaluable in ground-attack roles. In total, the Battleaxes flew 453 sorties (including 109 CAP) amounting to nearly 333 Hours, expending 218 rockets and 13000 lbs of bombs. In the course of the war, the squadron flew a total of 128 strike missions and 46 Combat Air Patrol sorties. Three pilots were killed along with another two on deputation from 20 Sqn. Nine aircraft were lost in the course of the war. For their contribution, No. 7 was awarded 4 [[VrC]]s (S Malik, AS Lamba, PS Pingale and AR Ghandhi) and five [[Mentioned in Dispatches\|mentioned in dispatches]].
	For its impressive record in the air as well as on ground, the squadron received commendations from the [[Prime Minister of India\|Prime Minister]] [[Lal Bahadur Shastri\|L B Shastri]], the Defence Minister Shri YB Chavan and Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal [[Arjan Singh]].		For its impressive record in the air as well as on ground, the squadron received commendations from the [[Prime Minister of India\|Prime Minister]] [[Lal Bahadur Shastri\|L B Shastri]], the Defence Minister Shri YB Chavan and Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal [[Arjan Singh]].
	After the war No. 7 would move to [[Hindon Air Force Station\|Hindon AB]] in November 1965 and also took on the role of [[Operational Conversion Unit]] with the addition of a Hunter Trainer Flight. However, the unit was moved again in March 1969, this time to [[Bagdogra]].		After the war No. 7 would move to [[Hindon Air Force Station\|Hindon AB]] in November 1965 and also took on the role of [[Operational Conversion Unit]] with the addition of a Hunter Trainer Flight. However, the unit was moved again in March 1969, this time to [[Bagdogra]].
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	Capt, 4 others die in hand-to-hand combat. ''The Tribune, India. Sunday, June 27, 1999''. http://www.tribuneindia.com/1999/99jun27/head.htm URL accessed on 13-Aug-06</ref> [[Battle of Tololing\|Tololing]]. Along with the LGBs, 1000lbers were also used. On one particular sortie, a Mirage came upon a Pakistani Army Helicopter, but did not engage as it was in the moment of crossing back over the [[Line of Control\|LoC]].		Capt, 4 others die in hand-to-hand combat. ''The Tribune, India. Sunday, June 27, 1999''. http://www.tribuneindia.com/1999/99jun27/head.htm URL accessed on 13-Aug-06</ref> [[Battle of Tololing\|Tololing]]. Along with the LGBs, 1000lbers were also used. On one particular sortie, a Mirage came upon a Pakistani Army Helicopter, but did not engage as it was in the moment of crossing back over the [[Line of Control\|LoC]].

	Wg Cdr Chabra received the [[Yudh Seva Medal]](YSM). Wg Cdr R Nambiar, who was an experienced test pilot attached to 7 Squadron during the course of operations was awarded the Vayusena Medal (VM) Gallantry, having flown over 25 sorties during that period delivering PGMs in precision attacks. Wg Cdr CH Kulkarni and Sqn Ldr DB Patnaik, from the strike team destroyed 9 bunkers which helped the ground troops to capture [[Tiger Hill, Kargil\|Tiger Hill]] with ease also received the Vayu Sena Medal. Sqn Ldr AS Heer, was awarded the VM, having shown considerable ingenuity to record the effects of the bomb-strikes. Sqn Ldr KI Ravi, of No. 1 Sqn, who devised the adaptation of the 1000 lb bombs to the Mirage was also awarded the VSM		Wg Cdr Chabra received the [[Yudh Seva Medal]](YSM). Wg Cdr R Nambiar, who was an experienced test pilot attached to 7 Squadron during the course of operations was awarded the Vayusena Medal (VM) Gallantry, having flown over 25 sorties during that period delivering PGMs in precision attacks. Wg Cdr CH Kulkarni and Sqn Ldr DK Patnaik, from the strike team destroyed 9 bunkers which helped the ground troops to capture [[Tiger Hill, Kargil\|Tiger Hill]] with ease also received the Vayu Sena Medal. Sqn Ldr AS Heer, was awarded the VM, having shown considerable ingenuity to record the effects of the bomb-strikes. Sqn Ldr KI Ravi, of No. 1 Sqn, who devised the adaptation of the 1000 lb bombs to the Mirage was also awarded the VSM

	==Operation Parakram==		==Operation Parakram==
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	! colspan='4'\|Pre-Independence (1942–47)		! colspan='4'\|Pre-Independence (1942–47)
	\|-		\|-
	\| [[Westland Wapiti]] \|\| December 1942 \|\| April 1943 \|\| [[Visakhapatnam]]<ref name="sq1">{{cite web\|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Database/Units/7+Sqn\|title=No.7 Squadron Battle Axes\|publisher=Bharat Rakshak\|access-date=2021-06-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/History/Sqn/007.html#gsc.tab=0\|title=No.7 Squadron\|publisher=Bharat Rakshak\|first=Jagan\|last=Pillarisetti\|date=2017-07-12\|access-date=2021-06-21}}</ref>		\| [[Westland Wapiti]] \|\| December 1942 \|\| April 1943 \|\| [[Visakhapatnam]]<ref name="sq1">{{cite web\|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Database/Units/7+Sqn\|title=No.7 Squadron Battle Axes\|publisher=Bharat Rakshak\|access-date=2021-06-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/History/Sqn/007.html#gsc.tab=0\|title=No.7 Squadron\|publisher=Bharat Rakshak\|first=Jagan\|last=Pillarisetti\|date=2017-07-12\|access-date=2021-06-21}}</ref>
	\|-		\|-
	\| [[Vultee A-31 Vengeance]] \|\| May 1943 \|\| September 1944 \|\| [[Gwalior]]		\| [[Vultee A-31 Vengeance]] \|\| May 1943 \|\| September 1944 \|\| [[Gwalior]]

imported>Shashpant: /* Aircraft */

2021-06-25T09:18:18Z

Aircraft

New page

{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2015}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2015}}
{{Infobox military unit
|unit_name= No. 7 Squadron
| image= No7sqd.jpg
| image_size = 150
|caption=7 Squadron badge
|dates= 1 December 1942
|country={{flagicon|India}} [[Republic of India]]
|allegiance=
|branch={{air force|India}}
|type=
|role= [[Air superiority]] <br> Specialised [[Ground attack]]
|size=
|command_structure=
|garrison=AFS [[Gwalior]]
|garrison_label=Base
|nickname=''Battle Axes''
|patron=
|motto=''Shatrunjay''<br>Vanquish the enemy
|colors=
|colors_label=
|march=
|mascot=
|equipment=
|equipment_label=
|battles=
|anniversaries=
|decorations=
|battle_honours=
|disbanded=

|commander1=
|commander1_label=
|commander2=
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|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=[[Dassault Mirage 2000|Dassault Mirage 2000H]]
|aircraft_interceptor=
|aircraft_patrol=
|aircraft_recon=
|aircraft_trainer=
|aircraft_transport=
}}

'''No. 7 Squadron, Indian Air Force''' (''Battle Axes'') operates as a Special Munitions Delivery and [[air superiority]] unit. Based at [[Gwalior]] AFB, No.7 Squadron forms a part of 40 Wing AF, [[Central Air Command]].

==Crest==
No. 7 Squadron Sqn has as its emblem two unfolded wings adorning a [[Farsha]] (Battle-axe) and the symbolic number '''7''' attached to the shaft. Below this crest, on a scroll were the letters '''Shatrunjay''' (Close English Translation: Vanquisher of the enemy). This logo was officially approved by [[President of India|President]] on 26 September 1960, and has adorned aircraft that No. 7 Squadron has flown since.

[[File:Mirage2000H of the IAF.jpg|thumb|250px|left|A [[Mirage 2000]] of the No. 7 Squadron.]] 

==History==
No. 7 Squadron (''Battle Axes'') was raised on 1 December 1942 at [[Vizag]] equipped with [[Vultee A-31 Vengeance|Vultee Vengeance]] dive bombers. Sqn Ldr HN Chaudhary was the first [[Commanding Officer]] and the personnel were drawn from No. 104 General Reconnaissance and 353 Squadron of [[RAF]] plus No. 3 (Calcutta) and No. 6 (Vizagapatnam) Coast Defence Flight, under Air Headquarters formation, order 268 on 19 November 1942. However, initially, the squadron operated [[Westland Wapiti]]s until it could be armed with the Vultees.
The first missions flown by No. 7 Sqn was in [[Waziristan]] in the [[North-West Frontier Province (1901–1955)|North West Frontier Province]] in what is now [[Pakistan]] in December 1943. The squadron has since flown with distinction in a number of conflicts, including 1965, 1971 conflicts, 1999 [[Kargil War]].

==Burma Operations==
The Squadron was to see extensive action during Second World War. In its first tour of duty between March and September 1944, No. 7 flew a six aircraft detachment against Japanese targets during the [[Battle of Imphal]], initially against [[Kenji (era)|Kenji]] on Chindwin, and later against Japanese supply lines and army convoys along the [[Tiddim]] road. In December 1944, No. 7 Sqn moved to [[Peshawar]] and converted to the [[Hawker Hurricane|Hurricane Mk.IIc]]. By March 1945, the unit was back in the Burma Front, flying from Imphal, and later, from Magwe Airfield. It would later move to [[Samungli Airbase|Samungli]] in June 1945. In November 1945, the Squadron moved to [[Gwalior]], where it converted to [[Supermarine Spitfire|Spitfire Mk.XIVs]], which it flew from December 1945 till July 1947, when the squadron converted to the [[Hawker Tempest|Tempest Mk.II]].<ref>Halley 1988, p. 523.</ref>

For his contributions during World War II the then CO, Squadron Leader [[Pratap Chandra Lal|P.C. Lal]], would win the [[Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)|DFC]].

==Independence and Kashmir Operations 1947-48==


At the time of the [[Partition of India|partition]] No. 7 was based at [[Risalpur]], having converted to the [[Hawker Tempest|Tempest]] in June 1947. No.7 Squadron was one of the units allocated to India after the division of the Assets between the two new nations of India and Pakistan. After partition, the unit moved to [[Agra]] and was operational within two months of Independence.

The units first post-independence operations was in November 1947. In response to the tribal invasion of the Kashmir kingdom and subsequent [[Instrument of accession|accession by Maharaja Hari Singh]], India flew in troops and stationed [[fighter aircraft|fighter]]s at [[Srinagar]]. Tempests of 7 Squadron flew from [[Ambala]] in support of Indian Ground troops in the decisive [[Battle of Shelatang]], offensive missions against [[Uri (India)|Uri]], [[Kotli]] and [[Rawalkot]]. The first fatality suffered was on 1 December 1947, when Fg Offr UA D'Cruz was shot down in his [[T-6 Texan|Harvard]] and taken prisoner. He was later awarded the [[Kirti Chakra]] (then Ashoka Chakra Cl. II) for his resilience in captivity. For his role in the initial days of operations, the CO Sqn Ldr Noronha was later awarded the [[Maha Vir Chakra]]. Flt Lt BS Dogra received the [[Vir Chakra]] for his sorties during the Battle of Shalateng.

The Squadron redeployed at Palam on a permanent basis in February 1948. Missions over [[Kashmir|J&K]] from the Advanced Landing Ground at [[Amritsar]]. These missions were flown in the [[Poonch (town)|Poonch]] area and against [[Skardu]] airfield, as well as the Tithwal area. Wg Cdr Ranjan Dutt along with some pilots of 7 Sqn flew to attack the bridge at Domel. The squadron would suffer two fatalities, Fg Offr Balwant Singh and Fg Offr DG Baptiste to ground fire.
In August 1948, the squadron set up base in Srinagar and provided support to the army operations near the [[Zoji La]] pass. [[Gilgit Airport|Gilgit]] airfield was bombed by Tempests on 4 November 1948. For its role, No. 7 Sqn would win five Vir Chakras.
[[File:No.7 Vampire.jpg|thumb|225px|right|One of the first three Vampires to be delivered to the Indian Air Force. The plane sports the [[Chakra]] [[roundel]]. This aircraft war later incorporated into No. 7 Sqn]]
In January 1949, the Squadron moved to [[Palam]] where it became the first unit in the [[Indian Air Force|IAF]] to operate the [[De Havilland Vampire|Vampire]], which had arrived in November 1948. At that time the squadron was the first unit in the whole of Asia to operate Jet aircraft. The unit now operated one flight with three Vampires and the second flight with Tempests. After converting back to Spitfires in 1949, No. 7 converted to operating only the Vampires in 1951. During this time, No. 7 Sqn came to form the first [[aerobatics]] team.

The Vampires were phased out in January 1958, when the new [[Hawker Hunter]]s were inducted.

Although put on high alert during the [[Sino-Indian war]] in 1962, the unit did not see any action in this conflict, mainly due to the [[Government of India|government]]'s decision to limit the air force's role to supply and evacuation.

==Indo-Pakistan War 1965==
At the onset of the war, the squadron was based at [[Halwara]] AFS. Already on a high alert, the unit flew its first offensive sorties on the morning of 6 September, against targets of opportunity. Through the day, the unit would fly twelve missions supporting the [[Indian Army]] over the IB. The first fatality suffered was on the evening of the 6th, when a four ship formation was intercepted by [[Pakistani Air Force|PAF]] [[F-86 Sabre|Sabres]] over [[Taran Taran, Pakistan|Taran Taran]]. In the ensuing battle, Sqn
Sqn Ldr AK Rawlley's aircraft hit the ground and exploded.

On the same evening, Halwara Airfield was raided by a three ship formation from PAF No. 5 Sqn. At the time of the raid, No. 7 had two aircraft, Fg Offr PS Pingale and Fg Offr AR Ghandhi, flying on CAP over the airfield. Both were bounced by the Sabres. In the battle that followed, Pingale was shot down before he could give battle. Ghandhi, however, was able to shoot down his adversary <ref name=Shaheeds>Hali S. M., '''PAF's First Shaheeds'''. ''Defence Journal, Karachi. September 2000.'' http://www.defencejournal.com/2000/sept/shaheeds.htm URL Accessed on 12-Aug-06</ref> before his aircraft fell to the cannon shells of the two remaining Sabres. At about this time, Hunters from No. 27 Sqn returning from a sortie were directed to join the battle, which shot down one of the attackers. The remaining sabre, was claimed that it made itself back to base by the PAF, was also shot down.<ref name=Shaheeds/>

The No. 7 was to suffer two more fatalities the next day, when on a dawn strike against [[Sargodha|PAF Sargodha]], a five-ship formation was intercepted. Two of the unit, Sqn Ldr SB Bhagwat and Fg Offr JS Brar, were lost on that day.
Hunters from No. 7 Sqn, however, provided [[Close air support|ground support]] for the troops through the war, repeatedly hitting ground targets in support of the army offensives. It hit an ammunition train at Kasur on 8 September, and ground targets in the [[Lahore]] area the next day. In a number of these missions, Hunters from different units flew together. On the night of 14 September, [[B-57 Canberra|B-57]] raid at Halwara destroyed two of the squadron's Hunters on the ground.

No. 7's next air-to-air kill was on 16 September, when Fg Offr PS Pingale shot down a F-86 Sabre over Tarn Tarn. His wingman Fg Offr Farokh Dara Bunsha from No. 20 Sqn was shot down and killed. Another aircraft fell on 20 September, when Fg Offr SK Sharma ejected from his badly damaged Hunter was over Kasur on 20 September. The unit however, lost Sqn Ldr DP Chatterjee, who had joined 7 Sqn on deputation from 20 Sqn was killed in the same battle.

Although the squadron's figures at the war are not impressive compared to what it would go on to achieve in six years, it remains true that it was seriously limited in its deep penetration strikes, operating ammunition-laden Hunters at maximum range in IAF's strike against bases as deep as PAF Sargodha,.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/History/1965War/Chapter4.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=2011-11-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111117222310/http://bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/History/1965War/Chapter4.html |archive-date=17 November 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.thunder-and-lightnings.co.uk/hunter/history.html |title = Thunder & Lightnings - Hawker Hunter - History}}</ref> However, No. 7 squadron- along with the other squadrons operating the Hunter- proved to be invaluable in ground-attack roles. In total, the Battleaxes flew 453 sorties (including 109 CAP) amounting to nearly 333 Hours, expending 218 rockets and 13000 lbs of bombs. In the course of the war, the squadron flew a total of 128 strike missions and 46 Combat Air Patrol sorties. Three pilots were killed along with another two on deputation from 20 Sqn. Nine aircraft were lost in the course of the war. For their contribution, No. 7 was awarded 4 [[VrC]]s (S Malik, AS Lamba, PS Pingale and AR Ghandhi) and five [[Mentioned in Dispatches|mentioned in dispatches]].
For its impressive record in the air as well as on ground, the squadron received commendations from the [[Prime Minister of India|Prime Minister]] [[Lal Bahadur Shastri|L B Shastri]], the Defence Minister Shri YB Chavan and Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal [[Arjan Singh]].
After the war No. 7 would move to [[Hindon Air Force Station|Hindon AB]] in November 1965 and also took on the role of [[Operational Conversion Unit]] with the addition of a Hunter Trainer Flight. However, the unit was moved again in March 1969, this time to [[Bagdogra]].

==Bangladesh War, 1971==
{{Main|East Pakistan Operations 1971}}

No. 7 is probably the only unit to have flown both in the [[East Pakistan Operations 1971|Eastern]] and Western theaters during the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971|war]].
Operations in 1971
'''Eastern Operations''' (Main article: [[East Pakistan Operations 1971]])
Immediately following [[Operation Chengiz Khan|preemptive PAF strikes]] on the western airfields, the first strikes were flown on the morning of 4 December against targets in [[East Pakistan]]. Repeated strikes were carried out on airfields in [[Dacca]] as well as ground targets. One of these strikes destroyed the bridge over the River [[Teesta River|Teesta]]. The first fatalities were suffered when an attack on a train at Lal Munir Hat came up against fierce [[ack ack]]. Both of the two badly damaged Hunters eventually lost crossed the IB into friendly airspace. Fg Offr Andre Da Costa's Hunter went out of control and crashed, killing him. The Hunter leader, Sqn Ldr SK Gupta ejected safely over Baghdogra airfield. In total, No. 7 flew 40 sorties in the east before it was pulled out to the western theatre.

No. 7 Squadron (Hunters) flew to [[Hindon Air Force Station|Hindon AB]] on 6 December. The next day a flight of eight Hunters deployed at Nal. The squadron provided close support to the troops, repeatedly hitting [[Pakistani]] targets. In one of the first missions against Pakistani [[tank]]s in [[Ganganagar]], a Hunter was lost to ground fire. Its pilot was the charismatic Officer Commanding (O.C.) of the squadron, Wing Commander (and later, Air Vice Marshal) Bernard Anthony Coelho. Wing Commander Coelho ejected over No Man's Land and was taken prisoner by Pakistani ground forces before he could be located by Indian troops. He was replaced by Wg Cdr [[Nirmal Chandra Suri]] on 09 Dec.<ref name="bharat-rakshak.com">{{Cite web | url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/History/Sqn/007.html | title=No.7 Squadron}}</ref> Interdiction sorties were also flown against targets in the Suleimanke Headworks area. One of these missions on 9 December, flown by Flying Officer Diskhit, landed with the fuel gauges reading zero. Towards the end of the war, the squadron moved to [[Pathankot]], where it stayed till the end of the war. The squadron was awarded Three VrCs, and one Vayu sena Medal. Three other pilots were mentioned in dispatches.

==After Bangladesh==
After the end of the war, the unit was positioned at Bagdogra from where it moved to Chandigarh in 1973 to convert to MIG 21MF. The Squadron then moved to Pathankot. The OC of the unit in 1972 was Wg Cdr RV Singh and in 1973 Wg Cdr Trilochan Singh (later Air Marshal- SASO of WAC). Sqn Ldr AY Tipnis was the Flight Commander of the newly converted Mig 21MF sqn (later Chief of Air Staff). Sqn Ldr SP Tyagi (later Chief of the Air Staff) was also with the Sqn in 1973.

The Sqn was the first IAF Sqn to convert to the [[Mirage 2000]], in a ceremonial parade on 29 June 1985.<ref name="bharat-rakshak.com"/>

In June 1987, during [[Operation Poomalai]], Four Mirage 2000s from No. 7, in anticipation of air opposition from the [[Sri Lankan Air Force]], provided air-cover for the five [[Antonov An-32|An 32]] detailed to airdrop food supplies over [[Jaffna]].

The Battle Axes were called into action again on 3 November 1988 during [[Operation Cactus]], when India responded to a plea for help by the [[Maldives]] government following a military coup. While the [[Ilyushin Il-76|Il-76]]s of No.44 Squadron flew in troops from the Para brigade into the capital [[Male]], six Mirages operating from [[Trivandrum]] made several passes over the Islands in a show of force. Wg Cdr Vaidya led the first formation with Flt Lt R Nambiar over the [[Hulule]] airfield.

==Kargil Operations in May 1999 - Op Safed Sagar==




No. 7 squadron was back in action again in May 1999, called to assist the [[Indian Army|Army]] in the area North, North-East of Kargil during [[Operation Vijay (1999)|Operation Vijay]]. The Battle Axes at that time was under the command of Wg Cdr Sandeep Chabra. For the first time, the IAF had employed [[Laser-guided bomb|Precision guided munitions]] to strike the supply lines of the entrenched enemy.

After the failure of the first strikes by [[SEPECAT Jaguar|Jaguar]]s, the task was assigned to the Mirages. Flying from [[Adampur]] AFB, Mirages of No.7 Sqn struck [[Tigerhill]], [[Muntho Dhalo]],<ref>IAF intensifies strikes
Capt, 4 others die in hand-to-hand combat. ''The Tribune, India. Sunday, June 27, 1999''. http://www.tribuneindia.com/1999/99jun27/head.htm URL accessed on 13-Aug-06</ref> [[Battle of Tololing|Tololing]]. Along with the LGBs, 1000lbers were also used. On one particular sortie, a Mirage came upon a Pakistani Army Helicopter, but did not engage as it was in the moment of crossing back over the [[Line of Control|LoC]].

Wg Cdr Chabra received the [[Yudh Seva Medal]](YSM). Wg Cdr R Nambiar, who was an experienced test pilot attached to 7 Squadron during the course of operations was awarded the Vayusena Medal (VM) Gallantry, having flown over 25 sorties during that period delivering PGMs in precision attacks. Wg Cdr CH Kulkarni and Sqn Ldr DB Patnaik, from the strike team destroyed 9 bunkers which helped the ground troops to capture [[Tiger Hill, Kargil|Tiger Hill]] with ease also received the Vayu Sena Medal. Sqn Ldr AS Heer, was awarded the VM, having shown considerable ingenuity to record the effects of the bomb-strikes. Sqn Ldr KI Ravi, of No. 1 Sqn, who devised the adaptation of the 1000 lb bombs to the Mirage was also awarded the VSM

==Operation Parakram==
In 2002 Mirage-2000s from the squadron used Precision Guided Munitions to destroy posts captured by Pakistan Army in the Machal sector of the LoC.<ref>[http://vayu-sena.tripod.com/other-loonda-kargil-ii.html The Kargil-II Incident]</ref>

==Aircraft==
{| class="wikitable"
|+
! Aircraft !! From !! To !! Air Base
|-
! colspan='4'|Pre-Independence (1942–47)
|-
| [[Westland Wapiti]] || December 1942 || April 1943 || [[Visakhapatnam]]<ref name="sq1">{{cite web|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Database/Units/7+Sqn|title=No.7 Squadron Battle Axes|publisher=Bharat Rakshak|access-date=2021-06-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/History/Sqn/007.html#gsc.tab=0|title=No.7 Squadron|publisher=Bharat Rakshak|first=Jagan|last=Pillarisetti|date=2017-07-12|access-date=2021-06-21}}</ref>
|-
| [[Vultee A-31 Vengeance]] || May 1943 || September 1944 || [[Gwalior]]
|-
| [[North American T-6 Texan|Harvard IIC]] || November 1944 || May 1946 || [[Silchar Airport|Kumbhirgram]]
|-
| [[North American T-6 Texan|Harvard IIB]] || August 1944 || January 1948 || rowspan='2'|[[PAF Base Samungli|Samungli]]
|-
| [[Supermarine Spitfire|Spitfire VIII]] || December 1945 || October 1946
|-
! colspan='4'|Post-Independence (1947–Present)
|-
| [[Hawker Tempest|Hawker Tempest II]] || June 1947 || January 1950 || [[Agra Airport|AFS Agra]]
|-
| [[de Havilland Vampire|Vampire F3]] || December 1948 || November 1951 || rowspan='4'|[[Indira Gandhi International Airport|AFS Palam]]
|-
| [[Supermarine Spitfire|Spitfire VIII]] || January 1950 || September 1951
|-
| [[de Havilland Vampire|Vampire FB52]] || March 1951 || January 1958
|-
| rowspan='4'|[[Hawker Hunter|Hawker Hunter Mk 56]] || January 1958 || 1961
|-
| 1961 || 1965 || [[Ambala Air Force Station|AFS Ambala]]
|-
| November 1965 || 1971 || [[Hindon Air Force Station|AFS Hindon]]
|-
| 1971 || June 1973 || [[Bikaner Airport|AFS NAL]]
|-
| [[MiG-21|MiG-21 MF]] || July 1973 || July 1981 || rowspan='2'|[[Chandigarh Airport|AFS Chandigarh]]
|-
| [[MiG-21|MiG-21 M]]|| July 1981 || December 1984
|-
| [[Dassault Mirage 2000|Dassault Mirage 2000H]]|| July 1985 || Present || [[Gwalior Airport|AFS Gwalior]]
|}

==See also==
*[[First Kashmir War]]
*[[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965]]
*[[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]]
*[[East Pakistan Operations 1971]]
*[[Kargil War]]
*[[Operation Safed Sagar]]

==References==
===Notes===
{{Reflist}}

===Bibliography===
{{refbegin}}
* Halley, James J. ''Squadrons of the Royal Air Force & Commonwealth, 1918-1988''. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd., 1988. {{ISBN|0-85130-164-9}}.
* Chopra, Pushpindar Singh. ''The Battle Axes: No. 7 Squadron Indian Air Force, 1942-1992''. New Delhi, India: Society for Aerospace Studies, 1993.
{{refend}}

==External links==
*[http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/History/Sqn/007.html No.7 Squadron, Indian Air Force webpage] at ''[[Bharat Rakshak]]''
*[http://indianairforce.nic.in Official website of the Indian Air Force]
{{Indian Air Force}}

[[Category:Indian Air Force aircraft squadrons|007]]
[[Category:Gwalior]]
[[Category:Military units and formations of India in World War II]]
[[Category:1942 establishments in India]]