No. 105 Helicopter Unit IAF

No. 105 Helicopter Unit IAF
Unit name	No. 105 Helicopter Unit
Caption	Unit crest
Dates	Established 1959 – present
Country	India
Branch	Indian Air Force
Role	Helicopter operations
Garrison	Various
Equipment	Westland S-58; HAL Cheetah; HAL Dhruv
Commander	Wing Commander (varies)

No. 105 Helicopter Unit IAF is a rotary-wing formation of the Indian Air Force established in 1959 that has conducted utility, transport, reconnaissance, and casualty evacuation missions across the Indian subcontinent, the Himalayas, and maritime zones. The unit has participated in major operations involving the Indian Army, Indian Navy, Border Roads Organisation, and civil agencies during crises such as the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, and disaster relief following the Kashmir earthquake (2005) and the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.

History

No. 105 Helicopter Unit formed during the late 1950s expansion of the Indian Air Force driven by procurement from Westland Aircraft and later indigenous development by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, aligning with strategic needs after the First Kashmir War and the Sino-Indian War. Through the 1960s and 1970s the unit supported campaigns involving the Indian Army in the Bhakra Dam region and conducted operations linked to the Eastern Theatre (1971) and the Western Theatre (1971). Post-1971, the unit transitioned through equipment updates influenced by agreements with United Kingdom suppliers and licensing arrangements with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and contributed to peacetime projects with the Ministry of Home Affairs and National Disaster Management Authority during floods and earthquakes.

Role and Operations

The unit undertakes tactical airlift, casualty evacuation (CASEVAC), logistical resupply, reconnaissance, and search-and-rescue (SAR) missions in coordination with formations such as the Southern Air Command, Western Air Command, and Eastern Air Command. During high-altitude deployments the unit has operated alongside the Border Roads Organisation and the Indian Army Corps of Engineers to support border infrastructure projects near the Siachen Glacier and the Ladakh region. In maritime and coastal operations the unit has coordinated with the Indian Navy and Coast Guard (India) for evacuation and surveillance tasks during cyclones affecting the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea.

Aircraft and Equipment

Originally equipped with types procured from Westland Aircraft including piston and turbine helicopters, the unit later operated license-built and indigenous designs from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited such as the HAL Cheetah and subsequently the HAL Dhruv for high-altitude capability. Avionics suites and mission equipment evolved in line with programs involving the Defence Research and Development Organisation and procurement policy overseen by the Ministry of Defence (India), incorporating navigation systems, winches for hoisting, and stretcher configurations for CASEVAC. Maintenance and upgrades were coordinated with Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment and depot-level support from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited facilities.

Bases and Deployments

The unit has been deployed from multiple forward bases and main air stations under the Indian Air Force network including stations in the Himalayan foothills and coastal airfields. Deployments have included forward operating locations near Leh, Srinagar, and southern bases supporting Andaman and Nicobar Islands operations, rotating under the control of Northern Air Command and South Western Air Command as operational needs dictated. The unit also provided airlift support for civil authorities in metropolitan hubs such as Delhi and Mumbai during national emergencies.

Command Structure

No. 105 Helicopter Unit operates within the hierarchical command of the Indian Air Force under numbered air commands and group headquarters, with operational tasking issued by command air chiefs and sector controllers. Unit leadership typically comprises commanding officers at the rank of Wing Commander and subordinate flight commanders, coordinating with army formation commanders including corps and division headquarters during joint operations, and with civilian agencies via the Ministry of Home Affairs and state emergency control rooms.

Notable Missions and Incidents

The unit carried out CASEVAC and supply missions during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 in both eastern and western sectors, supported humanitarian relief after the Kashmir flood of 2014 and the Cyclone Phailin (2013), and participated in mountain rescue missions on the Siachen Glacier and in the Nanda Devi region. Individual sorties have been recognized by IAF commendations and coordination citations involving the Chief of the Air Staff and state governors during largescale disaster responses. The unit has experienced operational incidents typical of rotary-wing operations in extreme terrain, leading to procedural and safety upgrades informed by findings from the Board of Inquiry and technical assessments by Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (India).

Insignia and Traditions

The unit insignia, mottos, and parade customs reflect heritage shared with other helicopter units of the Indian Air Force and incorporate symbols associated with high-altitude operations and search-and-rescue ethos celebrated during squadron anniversaries attended by dignitaries such as service chiefs and state officials. Ceremonial practices align with IAF traditions observed at stations including flag parades and presentation of colours, and the unit maintains associations with veterans through organizations linked to the Armed Forces Veterans community.

Category:Indian Air Force units Category:Helicopter units