No. 22 Squadron, Indian Air Force

The No. 22 Squadron ("Swifts") of the IAF is a CAS unit based out of Hasimara AFS. Along with No. 222 Squadron Tiger Sharks, the No. 22 Squadron forms a part of the 16 wing of the IAF.

History

No. 22 Sqn, IAF was raised on 15 October 1966 at Airforce Station Bareilly under the command of Wg Cdr PP Singh as a part of Eastern Air Command. The unit was at the time equipped with Gnat Mk-I ac and assigned to Ground attack and Air defence. It moved to Kalaikunda AFB under Eastern Air Command in September 1968, forming a part of the 5 Wing. It was re-equipped in March 1982 with HAL Ajeet Mk-I ac. It currently operates Mig 27ML ac and is assigned solely to Ground attack role. It has been based at AF stn Hasimara since 5 February 1990.

The sqaudron, following its operations in the Bangladesh War of 1971 came to be noted for the ferocity with which it successfully engaged its adversary. On 20 December 1985, the unit was awarded the present crest of the Swift by the then Indian President, R. Venkataraman.

abre Slayers

The Squadron earned its name of Sabre Slayers, during Operations in December 1971. In the opening engagement of the war, three intruding Sabres of the PAF were shot down by the Squadron Pilots.Through the war, Gnats from No.22 repeatedly engaged the PAF Sabres with devastating effect.

1971 operations

Air DefenseIn the first engagement that signified the opening of all out war in 1971, four Gnats operating from Dum Dum on 22 November shot down three sabres over Boyra salient. All three PAF pilots were taken POWs.

Ground AttackNo. 22 did not fly iagainst ground targets till three days after the formal declaration of war. First of these was on 6 December, against Brisal Airfield, south of Dhaka. A four ship formation carried out a successful strike, destroying the hangars and hitting the defensive bunkers around the airfield. No. 22 would subsequently carry out a number of strikes on Ishurdi airfield between 6th and 8 December. It would also strike, with devastating effects, the Army Brigade HQs at Khulna on the 7th of December.Jessore was struck on the 8th of December.

North East, photo c 1970.

Close Air SupportThe most extensive ground support missions were flown against the Pakistani Army positions in Jessore.The Indian Army faced its most difficult task in the capture of Jessore, were the Pakistani Army had dug-in in concrete defences and defended every inch and were also aided by an effective artillery barrage. No 22 Sqn would strike these positions with Iron Bombs , destroying the defences in pinpoint attacks. Jessore would fall after this bloody confrontation.

Bomber and transport escortNo. 22 provided crucial fighter escort to the Hunters and Canberras on strikes against positions deep inside East Pakistan.Gnats from No 22 would also provide fighter escort to the An-12s and Dakotas during the Tangail Airdrop on the 11 December, 1971.

In addition, No 22 would also strike Khulna, Banisol and Godanand between 7th and 15th of December in Anti shipping opertions that effectively stopped elements of the retreating Pakistani Army to make for West Pakistan by sea.

Awards

#Flt Lt RA Massey F(P) Vr C- 1971 opeartions
#Flt Lt MA Ganapathy F(P) Vr C - 1971 operations
#Flt Lt D Lazarus F(P) Vr C - 1971 Operations

ee also

*East Pakistan Operations 1971
*Indian Air Force