No. 35 Squadron IAF

No. 35 Squadron IAF
Unit name	No. 35 Squadron IAF
Dates	1958–present
Country	India
Branch	Indian Air Force
Role	Transport and Helicopter Operations
Garrison	Bareilly Air Force Station
Nickname	Tigersharks
Equipment	Mil Mi-17 / Mi-8 variants
Anniversaries	Formation Day
Notable commanders	Arjan Singh, Subroto Mukerjee

No. 35 Squadron IAF is a transport and helicopter squadron of the Indian Air Force formed in 1958 and based at Bareilly Air Force Station. The unit operates rotary-wing platforms in airlift, troop insertion, and humanitarian roles supporting operations across South Asia, Indian Ocean, and disaster relief missions. Through Cold War-era alignments, regional conflicts, and peacetime deployments, the squadron has worked alongside elements of the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and international relief agencies.

History

No. 35 Squadron IAF was raised during the tenure of Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh amid post-independence expansion and modernization influenced by procurement ties with the Soviet Union, United States, and European aerospace firms. Early years saw conversion training tied to doctrine influenced by leaders such as Subroto Mukerjee and operational planning reflecting lessons from the 1947–1948 Indo-Pakistani War and the Korean War logistics paradigms. During the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 and the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, the squadron contributed to intra-theatre lift, medevac, and special operations support coordinated with formations of the Indian Army and Eastern Command (India). In the 1980s and 1990s the unit transitioned platforms and tactics in response to regional crises including the Siachen Glacier logistics challenges and humanitarian response to the 1984 Assam floods. Post-2000, No. 35 Squadron has participated in multinational exercises alongside forces from United States, Royal Air Force, and French Air and Space Force elements, and provided support during the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami and cyclone relief efforts.

Roles and Operations

The squadron's primary missions encompass tactical airlift, troop insertion, casualty evacuation, and logistics resupply for military and civil authorities. It executes special operations support coordinated with units such as the Para SF and Garud Commando Force, and provides disaster relief alongside the National Disaster Response Force, Indian Red Cross Society, and international NGOs. Operational integration includes participation in exercises like Exercise Axom, Exercise Yudh Abhyas, and bilateral drills with Singapore Armed Forces and Malaysian Armed Forces. The unit supports strategic airlift chains linked to Andaman and Nicobar Command and western commands during mobilization scenarios involving the Kargil conflict contingency planning and maritime cooperation with the Indian Navy.

Aircraft Operated

Historically, No. 35 Squadron operated early Mi-4 types before converting to heavier and more capable rotary-wing platforms procured through Soviet-era agreements with Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant and later licensed upgrades. The squadron has flown variants of the Mil Mi-8 and Mil Mi-17 series for troop transport, cargo sling operations, and aerial insertion, while maintenance and tactical evolution have mirrored programs managed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and Indo-Russian joint modernization initiatives. Upgrades incorporated avionics compatible with NATO-standard navigation suites used by partner air arms such as the United States Air Force and Royal Australian Air Force in interoperability exercises.

Bases and Deployments

No. 35 Squadron is garrisoned at Bareilly Air Force Station with forward deployments to high-altitude and forward-operating bases including Srinagar International Airport, Leh Airport, and staging areas on the eastern front such as Kalaikunda Air Force Station during crisis surges. The squadron has been deployed for external humanitarian assistance to Bhutan, Maldives, and Sri Lanka and has supported multinational missions in collaboration with United Nations humanitarian frameworks. Sea-borne coordination has occurred with Indian naval assets operating from bases like INS Dega and joint logistics nodes at Visakhapatnam.

Command and Organization

The squadron falls under the command structure of the Indian Air Force Western and Central Air Commands depending on operational tasking, with administrative links to Maintenance Command (India) for logistics and overhaul cycles. Squadron leadership comprises a Commanding Officer (Wing Commander or Group Captain level), a Deputy Commander, and flight commanders who coordinate with wing-level staff and ground support units including Air Force Station Bareilly logistics groups. Training pipelines align with institutions such as the Air Force Academy (India) and rotary-wing conversion courses at Helicopter Training School.

Honors and Notable Engagements

No. 35 Squadron has received unit commendations and awards for distinguished service during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 and in major relief operations such as the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami response. Individual personnel have been recognized with decorations including the Vir Chakra, Vayu Sena Medal, and Param Vishisht Seva Medal in recognition of gallantry, devotion to duty, and leadership during complex airlift and rescue missions. The squadron's operational history is cited in studies of Indian rotary-wing doctrine alongside works on South Asian security by analysts of the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses and publications on aerospace cooperation with the Russian Federation and Western partners.

Category:Units of the Indian Air Force Category:Military units and formations established in 1958