No. 77 Squadron IAF

No. 77 Squadron IAF
Unit name	No. 77 Squadron
Dates	1951–present
Country	India
Branch	Indian Air Force
Type	Squadron
Role	Transport / Special Operations
Garrison	Hasimara Air Force Station
Nickname	Veiled Vipers
Aircraft transport	Antonov An-32, C-130J Super Hercules

No. 77 Squadron IAF is a combat transport and special operations squadron of the Indian Air Force based at Hasimara Air Force Station that provides tactical airlift, airdrop and support to Indian Army, Indian Navy, National Disaster Response Force, and multinational exercises. Formed in 1951, it has operated a succession of transport types including the An-12 and An-32 and later the C-130J Super Hercules to project logistics, humanitarian assistance, and airborne insertion across the Indian subcontinent, Himalayas, and island territories. The squadron has participated in major operations involving the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, and peacetime missions such as disaster relief after the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami and Cyclone Phailin.

History

No. 77 Squadron was raised in 1951 at Barrackpore Air Force Station under the command of officers drawn from Royal Air Force-trained cadres and veterans of World War II. Early years saw operations with the Douglas C-47 Skytrain and later upgrades to four-engined transports like the Avro 748 to support frontiers near Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, and the Kargil sector. During the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 the squadron conducted tactical airlift and paradrop missions in support of formations of the Indian Army and logistics lines to Eastern Command. In the 1971 conflict the unit provided vital reinforcement and casualty evacuation to sectors defending East Pakistan and Western frontlines. Post-1971 modernization included introduction of the Antonov An-12 and later the rugged Antonov An-32 optimized for high-altitude operations in the Himalayas and Ladakh region. In the 21st century the squadron was selected for advanced tactical airlift roles and interoperability with United States Air Force platforms during exercises such as Exercise Cope India and Exercise Desert Knight.

Role and Operations

The unit's primary role is tactical transport: short-field takeoff and landing, paradrop, troop insertion, casualty evacuation, and logistics to forward operating bases such as Daulat Beg Oldi and Chushul. Secondary roles include humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) missions to regions affected by events like the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, 2013 Uttarakhand floods, and cyclones impacting Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The squadron supports special forces operations alongside units of the Para (Special Forces), provides aerial delivery for the Army Aviation Corps, and coordinates with the National Disaster Response Force and Ministry of Home Affairs during internal emergencies. It also undertakes joint exercises with foreign air arms including the Royal Air Force, United States Air Force, French Air and Space Force, and Japanese Air Self-Defense Force to maintain tactical interoperability and strategic airlift readiness.

Aircraft Operated

Over its history the squadron has flown a range of transport types: the Douglas C-47 Skytrain in the 1950s, the Avro 748 and HS 748 variants, the Soviet-built Antonov An-12 and the high-altitude optimized Antonov An-32 from the 1980s onward. More recently the squadron transitioned to modern platforms such as the Lockheed C-130 Hercules series and the C-130J Super Hercules to enhance precision airdrop, extended range, and avionics suited for night operations and contested environments. The fleet modernization improved capabilities for operations into austere strips like Daulat Beg Oldi and to perform long-range HADR sorties to Maldives and Sri Lanka.

Bases and Deployments

Originally garrisoned at Barrackpore Air Force Station and later at Srinagar Air Force Station during heightened northern deployments, No. 77 Squadron relocated to Hasimara Air Force Station to cover eastern and northeastern sectors near Siliguri and the Chicken's Neck corridor. It maintains forward deployment cycles to advance landing grounds (ALGs) including Mechuka Advance Landing Ground, Tawang Air Force Station, and temporary detachments to Leh (Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport) and Thoise during operational surges. Overseas HADR deployments have included staging through Malé in the Maldives and Colombo in Sri Lanka.

Notable Missions and Awards

Notable missions include rapid airlift sorties during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, high-altitude supply missions to Siachen Glacier and Daulat Beg Oldi under extreme conditions, and extensive HADR sorties after the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami and the 2013 Uttarakhand floods. The squadron has earned unit citations from the Indian Air Force and theatre commendations from Eastern Air Command and Western Air Command for exemplary performance in combat and relief operations. Individual aircrew have received awards such as the Vayu Sena Medal, Param Vishisht Seva Medal, and Shaurya Chakra for gallantry, airmanship, and distinguished service.

Commanding Officers

Commanding officers have included decorated aviators who served as wing commanders and group captains, often with prior experience in No. 48 Squadron IAF, No. 77 Squadron IAF-adjacent transport units, and staff postings at Air Headquarters (Vayu Bhawan). Senior commanders from the squadron have later held appointments at Heads of Staff Committee-level liaison roles and as station commanders at major hubs like Lohegaon Air Force Station and Bareilly Air Force Station. Several COs were alumni of the National Defence Academy and Air Force Academy, Dundigal with further training at Flight Safety Directorate and Central Air Command institutions.

Unit Insignia and Traditions

The squadron badge and insignia incorporate motifs symbolizing stealth and readiness, reflecting ties to regional heraldry and airlift lineage similar to insignia traditions at Squadron House and other storied units like No. 6 Squadron IAF and No. 22 Squadron IAF. Traditions include annual formation events on the squadron raising day, cross-decking exercises with Indian Navy squadrons, and commemorative ceremonies honoring participation in operations like the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War and major peacetime HADR missions. The squadron maintains a strong alumni network that engages with institutions such as the Indian Air Force Museum and supports veterans through the Ex-Servicemen Welfare Association.

Category:Indian Air Force squadrons