No. 221 Squadron nicknamed as Valiants is an Indian Air Force fighter squadron and is equipped with Su-30MKI and based at Halwara Air Force Station.
History The squadron was established as an offensive fighter squadron on 14 February 1963 at Barrackpore. The first commanding officer was Squadron Leader N Chatrath. The squadron was subsequently equipped with Supermarine Spitfire, de Havilland Vampire and Su-7. The squadron has changed many based in the 54 years since its establishment. The Su-7 aircraft saw action in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 over Bangladesh. It also participated in the Kargil war with the Mig-23, which were retired in 2009. On 24 April 2017, Su30-MKI aircraft was inducted into the squadron with Wing Commander HS Luthra as the commanding officer. Numerous pilots from the squadron have been decorated with gallantry awards over many years of its operation.
Assignments Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 Kargil War
Aircraft + Aircraft types operated by 221 Squadron Aircraft type From To Air base Supermarine SpitfireMay 1963 January 1968 AFS Barrackpore de Havilland Vampire FB.52 Su-7 February 1968 February 1979 MiG-23 BN February 1982 April 2009 AFS Halwara Su-30K 21 February 2007 Su-30 MKI 24 April 2017 Present
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