Indian Air Force (IAF) 49 squadron celebrates diamond jubilee in Jorhat

A Correspondent

JORHAT: The 49 squadron of Indian Air Force (IAF) Station in Jorhat, which is known as the Paraspears, celebrated its diamond jubilee on Sunday.

The squadron has been the lifeline of the Indian Army, ITBP and civilians located in the treacherous and inhospitable terrains of the Northeast since its inception at Barrackpore on February 2, 1960. It was initially equipped with Dakota aircraft before moving to its present location in May, 1962. The squadron was re-equipped with AN-32 aircraft in September 1984. The squadron holds a unique distinction of participating in the famous Tangail Drop operation in December 1971. It was the largest airborne assault undertaken by any Air Force in the world since World War II, informed Lt Col Harsh Wardhan Pande, the Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Defence, Tezpur.

According to the Defence PRO, to commemorate this occasion, various events have been organized from January 31 to February 3 at the Air Force Station, Jorhat. A fabulous display of air assets available in the Eastern Air Command was organized on Sunday. A large gathering of serving and retired officers, their families, school children and NCC cadets attended the programme. The recreation of the capture of the Poongli bridge during the Tangail Drop, jointly by IAF and Indian Army, received special applause from the spectators. The performance by the Akash Ganga Para team and Air Warrior Drill team kept the audience enthralled. The entire event left an everlasting and unique impression on the audience at AF station, Jorhat.

The Paraspears have an indelible contribution in various operations like Sino-Indian War 1962, Indo-Pak war of 1965 and 1971, Operation Pawan in Sri Lanka in 1987, Op Cactus in Maldives in 1889 and Kargil Operation in 1999. The squadron has also contributed towards disaster relief to civilians affected by floods and natural calamities in the north-eastern region, Lt Col Harsh Wardhan further said.

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