No. 2 Squadron IAF

No. 2 Squadron IAF
Unit name	No. 2 Squadron IAF
Caption	Hawker Hurricane similar to those flown by the unit
Dates	1 April 1941–present
Country	British Raj; Dominion of India; Republic of India
Branch	Indian Air Force
Role	Fighter and reconnaissance
Garrison	Hindon Air Force Station
Nickname	"Winged Arrows"
Motto	"Per Aspera Ad Astra"
Notable commanders	Subroto Mukerjee; Natheerth Rahman; Arjan Singh

No. 2 Squadron IAF is one of the oldest operational squadrons within the Indian Air Force with a lineage tracing to the British Indian Army era and the early years of the Dominion of India. The squadron has operated across multiple conflicts including the World War II-era Burma Campaign, the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947–1948, the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, and the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, contributing to air defence, close air support, and reconnaissance missions. It has flown a succession of aircraft types and been based at several key installations such as Hindon Air Force Station, Ambala Air Force Station, and Srinagar Airport. The unit's heritage links to prominent figures including Subroto Mukerjee, Arjan Singh, and veterans of the Royal Air Force and Royal Indian Air Force.

History

No. 2 Squadron traces its origin to 1 April 1941 when it was formed under the Royal Air Force-influenced structure in Quetta. Early training and operations were influenced by doctrine from RAF India and equipment supplied by the Air Ministry (UK). The squadron saw its first active deployment in the Burma Campaign against Imperial Japan as part of the South East Asia Command and worked alongside formations such as No. 1 Group RAF and units from the Royal Australian Air Force. After Indian independence and partition, personnel and assets were reorganized under the Indian Air Force during Operation Polo and subsequent border conflicts. The unit participated in air operations during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947–1948 with missions coordinated alongside the Indian Army and naval reconnaissance from INS Vikrant-adjacent taskings. During the Cold War era, No. 2 Squadron transitioned through aircraft acquisitions influenced by procurement negotiations involving the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union, and bilateral ties with the United States Department of Defense. The squadron was active in the 1965 and 1971 wars, undertaking strikes in sectors involving Punjab, Kashmir, and the eastern theatre near Dhaka. In peacetime, No. 2 conducted exercises with units from the Pakistan Air Force, participated in Operation Meghdoot support tasks, and contributed to humanitarian responses after natural disasters in regions like Kashmir and Assam.

Aircraft Operated

The squadron's aircraft lineage includes wartime types such as the Hawker Hurricane and the Supermarine Spitfire, transitioning postwar to jet types like the de Havilland Vampire and the Dassault Mystère IV. Later acquisitions included the Sukhoi Su-7 for ground-attack roles and the MiG-21 family for air superiority and interception duties, followed by multirole platforms like the MiG-23BN and upgraded MiG-23MF variants. In recent decades, the unit evaluated and operated modern fighters influenced by selection processes involving the HAL Tejas programme and procurement debates with companies such as Sukhoi and Dassault Aviation. Training and liaison types supporting the squadron's evolution included the Avro Anson and the de Havilland Tiger Moth during early years, with forward-looking avionics upgrades tied to collaborations with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and international contractors like HAL partners.

Roles and Operations

No. 2 Squadron has been tasked with fighter-interception, close air support, tactical reconnaissance, and air superiority. The squadron executed tactical reconnaissance missions using specialized camera pods and signals intelligence suites during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, supporting ground advances by the Indian Army and coordinated strikes with the Indian Navy in combined operations. During air defence alerts, No. 2 scrambled to intercept incursions over sectors including Western Sector airspace and the Srinagar sector. Peacetime roles included participation in multinational exercises such as Exercise Cope India and bilateral drills with the Royal Air Force and United States Air Force. The squadron also provided aerial surveillance during internal security operations in coordination with state actors like the Government of Jammu and Kashmir and disaster relief missions after events like the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami and floods in Assam.

Notable Engagements

Notable combat actions include sorties in the Burma Campaign where pilots engaged Mitsubishi Ki-43 fighters, and interdiction sorties during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 over Sialkot and Lahore sectors. In the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, No. 2 flew armed reconnaissance that supported the Mukti Bahini and joint operations leading to the fall of Dhaka. Pilots from the squadron received recognition in lists connected to awards such as the Param Vishisht Seva Medal and Vir Chakra-era citations for bravery, alongside mentions in official dispatches by commanders like Sam Manekshaw. The unit's engagements also include high-tempo air defence patrols during crises such as the Kargil War period and stand-by combat air patrols during interstate tensions following incidents like the 1971 Indo-Pakistani skirmishes and the Siachen conflict.

Command and Organization

Command of No. 2 Squadron has been held by officers with careers spanning the Royal Air Force legacy into modern Indian Air Force leadership, including early commanders who trained under figures like Subroto Mukerjee and later leaders who rose through commands alongside marshals such as Arjan Singh. Organizationally, the squadron has been part of different IAF formations including air commands aligned with Western Air Command and elements reporting to air bases like Hindon Air Force Station under station command structures. The squadron integrated technical and support wings sourced from establishments such as Maintenance Command and logistics chains involving Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for overhaul and spares. Cadre rotations and exchange programmes linked personnel exchanges with units in the Royal Australian Air Force and Royal Air Force during joint exercises.

Bases and Deployment

Permanent and temporary bases have included Hindon Air Force Station, Ambala Air Force Station, Srinagar Airport, and wartime deployments into forward strips in Burma and the Eastern Command theatre near Kolkata. Strategic dispersal during conflicts has placed the squadron at advanced landing grounds like Tawang-adjacent fields and high-altitude posts supporting operations in the Himalayas and Kashmir regions. Overseas visits and deployments involved transit stops at regional hubs like Colombo and liaison with carriers such as INS Vikrant during combined maritime-air planning.

Honors and Traditions

The squadron maintains traditions reflecting its service in campaigns like the Burma Campaign and the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, commemorating anniversaries with ceremonies attended by dignitaries from institutions such as the Ministry of Defence (India) and veteran associations including the Indian Ex-Servicemen League. Battle honours and squadron standards reference engagements in theatres including Burma and Bangladesh with personnel recipients of gallantry awards such as the Vir Chakra and service medals tied to long-serving airmen who later held posts within the Air Headquarters (India). The unit's insignia and motto are preserved in museum displays at institutions like the Indian Air Force Museum and are celebrated during national events such as Air Force Day.

Category:Indian Air Force squadrons