Form of words:
Hindon: Air Chief Marshal VR Choudhary on Friday awarded ‘Unit Citation’ to three squadrons of the Indian Air Force for their role in enhancing India’s military presence in eastern Ladakh last year following a military standoff with China in the region.
Officials said the units presented with the ‘Citation of the Chief of Air Staff’ are 47 squadrons armed with MiG-29 fighters, 116 helicopter units and 2255 squadrons operating OSA-AK-M surface-to-air guided weapons . .
The units were honored during the 89th Air Force Day celebrations at Hindon Airbase on the outskirts of the national capital.
There has been a border standoff between Indian and Chinese troops in several areas of eastern Ladakh for almost 17 months, though the two sides disengaged in several friction points.
Formed in 1959, No. 47 Squadron is currently equipped with advanced MiG-29 aircraft. The squadron was deployed for the air defense role after the Balakot air strike in February 2019.
“The squadron flew extensively and kept under constant surveillance to ensure that there was no misadventure by our adversaries… In May 2020, the squadron was commissioned for air defense as well as air-to-ground operations in the northern sector. Was deployed, and carried out extensive operations at high altitudes,” said an official.
The 116 Helicopter Unit formed in August 1967 is equipped with the Advanced Light Helicopter (Mark IV) Rudra.
Officials said the unit was deployed for offensive operations at a high altitude airfield in the Ladakh region following the Galwan Valley skirmishes between Indian and Chinese troops.
“The unit established the first high altitude attack helicopter detachment in the area and carried out day and night operations including air-to-ground weapons delivery at high altitudes,” the official said.
2255 Squadron Det is a frontline OSA-AK-M, surface-to-air guided weapons unit.
The squadron was deployed for air defense in Ladakh in response to the Galwan Valley standoff.
“Since then, the squadron has made various innovations to maintain the serviceability and reliability of its equipment. This has enabled it to maintain its operational readiness in harsh climatic conditions even during the harsh winters of Ladakh,” the officer said.
The border standoff between the Indian and Chinese armies began on May 5 last year after violent clashes in the Pangong Lake area and both sides gradually increased their deployment of thousands of troops as well as heavy weapons.
The border dispute escalated after clashes in Galwan Valley on June 15 last year.
Twenty Indian Army personnel sacrificed their lives in the clashes that marked the most serious military conflicts between the two sides in decades.
In February, China officially acknowledged that five Chinese military officers and soldiers had been killed in clashes with the Indian military, although it is widely believed that the death toll was higher.
Following the escalation of tension in eastern Ladakh in mid-June last year, the IAF has deployed almost all its frontline fighter jets such as Sukhoi 30 MKI, Jaguar and Mirage 2000 aircraft as well as its attack helicopters to major airports in eastern Ladakh and elsewhere. posted in on the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
As a result of a series of military and diplomatic talks, the two sides completed the dissolution process at Gogra as well as on the north and south banks of Pangong Lake.
Each side currently has around 50,000 to 60,000 troops along the LAC in the sensitive area.
Read also: Quick action in Ladakh last year was proof of combat readiness of IAF: Air Chief
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