No. 20 Squadron IAF explained

Unit Name:No. 20 Squadron
Dates:1 June 1956 - Present
Country: Republic of India
Role:Fighter
Garrison:Lohegaon Air Force Station
Nickname:"Lightnings"
Motto:Vegvankutobhayah
Swift and Fearless
Battles:
Aircraft Attack:Sukhoi Su-30MKI

No. 20 Squadron (Lightnings) is a fighter squadron. It is equipped with Sukhoi Su-30MKI and based at Lohegaon Air Force Station, Pune.[1]

History

The Lightnings stuck with tremendous impact during the December 1971 operations. A decade later, No. 20 Squadron were chosen to form the IAF's formation aerobatic team given the appellation of "Thunderbolts".[2]

The IAF's most decorated squadron, No.20 Lightnings, was re-commissioned from its number plated status to operational status.[3] Its pilots and crews were mainly drawn from the first Sukhoi squadron, No. 24 Squadron IAF 'Hunting Hawks,' and have considerable experience on the type. This squadron is considered one of the parent squadrons of the Sukhoi 30 MKI in the IAF. Also the No.20 Squadron played an important role in making the Flankers fully operational in the Indian Air Force.

Aircraft

Aircraft types operated by the squadron[3] [4]

! Aircraft Type!!From!!To!!Air Base
1 June 1956 May 1959 AFS Halwara
May 1959 1965 AFS Palam
1965 February 1968 AFS Hindon
February 1968 July 1996 AFS Pathankot
March 1996 1975
1975 January 1998
August 2004 May 2005
January 2002 Present AFS Lohegaon

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Squadrons and Helicopter Units. Bharat Rakshak. 26 July 2012.
  2. Web site: Lancer Publishers Online Bookshop.
  3. Web site: When Lightning Strikes!. Bharat Rakshak. Pillarisetti. Jagan. 2015-04-02. 2021-06-27.
  4. Web site: No.20 Squadron - Bharat Rakshak:Indian Air Force. bharat-rakshak.com. 2021-06-27.