'Himalayan Eagles' gets Best Transport Squadron Trophy

Chandigarh, Jan 25 (UNI) The city based 25 Squadron, better known as the "Himalayan Eagles", located at 12 Wing Air Force has been declared the best transport squadron in the Western Air Command (WAC) for the year 2006-07.

The Best Transport Squadron Trophy was handed over to Air Commodore SRK Nair, Air Officer Commanding of 12 Wing by the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal FH Major during the recently concluded Commanders' Conference held at Head Quarters Western Air Command at New Delhi.

On the occasion, AOC 12 Wing also received the Best Dental Centre Trophy in HQ WAC which has been bagged by No 9 Air Force Dental Centre (9 AFDC), also located at 12 Wing.

25 Squadron has many laurels to its credit apart from being the life line to the armed forces deployed in the Himalayan region, which are totally dependent on air maintenance during the winter months when the road communications shut down.

The trophy takes into account operational, maintenance of aircraft and administrative capability and performance of the unit in proving itself to be an effective fighting arm.

On the professional front the IL-76 aircraft and crew of the Squadron have participated in many air exercises with Air Forces of the advanced nations and earned a very good name for the nation and the Indian Air Force.

On the adventure front, a team of 11 Himalayan Eagles had successfully completed their high altitude trekking expedition in the great Zanskar region of the Himalayas in Aug 2007. The trekking expedition covered around 150 km from Padam to Lamayaru, negotiating high passes ranging up to 17,000 feet, fast flowing icy rivers and glaciers.

The squadron has a glorious history. Formed on March 1 1963 with AN-12 aircraft, it has participated in the wars of 1965 and 1971 where it was part of the famous Tangail drop as well as carpet bombing missions inside the enemy territory. Presently, the squadron operates two types of aircraft, the strategic heavy lift IL-76 and the versatile medium lift AN-32.

UNI PS VN1514