128 AD Missile Regiment explained

Unit Name:128 Air Defence Missile Regiment
Dates:1951 – present
Country: India
Allegiance:India
Branch: Indian Army
Type:Air Defence
Size:Regiment
Command Structure:Western Command
Equipment:Akash surface-to-air missiles[1]
Identification Symbol:128 AD Msl Regt
Identification Symbol Label:Abbreviation
Nickname:Sky Gladiators
Motto:Sky high excellence
Colors:Sky Blue and Red

128 Air Defence Missile Regiment is an Air Defence regiment of the Indian Army.

Formation

The regiment was raised on 1 April 1951 as a territorial army regiment at Arakkonam, Tamil Nadu. The first commanding officer was Lieutenant Colonel Atma Singh Pannu, MBE.[2]

History

At the time of its formation, the regiment was equipped with Bofors 40 mm L-60 anti-aircraft guns. The unit served at Arakkonam, Ferozepur and Madhopur.[2]

On 15 September 1973, the unit was converted into a regular air defence regiment.[3] It was equipped with L/70 guns and SFM radar. It served in Bombay, Udhampur, Jamnagar, Ferozepur, Srinagar and Surat.[2]

The war cry of the regiment is Ek Sau Atthai Karo Chadhai, Ek Sau Atthai Do or Die.

On 31 March 2024, another test of Akash missiles were carried out successfully 128 AD Missile Regiment.[4] [5]

Operations

The regiment has taken part in the following operations-

Operation Riddle- The regiment was the first Territorial Army unit to see action. It was deployed in the Jammu and Akhnoor area.[6]

Lance Havildar Kans Raj was awarded the Vir Chakra for shooting down a F-86 Sabre.[7]

1984

26 January 1987 to 15 April 1987.

26 May 1999 to 31 October 1999.

17 December 2001 to 18 December 2002.

July 2003 to July 2006.[2]

Honours and awards

Notes and References

  1. Web site: India's military strength, cultural diversity at display during 71st Republic Day Parade. 2020-01-26. 2021-03-08.
  2. Web site: 128 AD-Diamond Jubilee Indian Army Postal Cover. 2011-04-01. 2020-10-17.
  3. Web site: Regiment celebrates golden jubilee. 2001-04-09. 2021-03-08.
  4. Web site: MSN . 2024-04-02 . www.msn.com.
  5. Web site: Indian Army test-fires BrahMos, Akash missiles . 2024-04-02 . Janes.com . en.
  6. Book: Gulati, YB. History of the Regiment of Artillery, Indian Army. 1972. Leo Cooper. 978-0850521184. 278–280.
  7. Web site: Gazette of India, No 34, page 937. 1972-08-19. 2021-03-08.
  8. Web site: List Of Personnel Awarded The Chief Of Army Staff Commendation Card On The Eve Of Army Day 2007. 2021-03-08.
  9. Web site: COAS Commendation Card 2016. 2021-03-08.
  10. Web site: India's military strength, cultural diversity at display during 71st Republic Day Parade. 2020-01-26. 2021-03-08.