No. 116 Helicopter Unit, IAF

No. 116 Helicopter Unit
Active27 July 1967 - Present
CountryIndia Republic of India
Branch Indian Air Force
Garrison/HQJodhpur AFS
Nickname(s)"Tankbusters"
Motto(s)Apatsu Mitram
A friend in time of need
Aircraft flown
AttackHAL Rudra

No. 116 Helicopter Unit (Tankbusters) is a Helicopter Unit that is equipped with HAL Rudra (the military version of HAL Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter) and the HAL Chetak, and based at Jodhpur Air Force Station.[1]

History

The 116 Helicopter unit was raised on 27 July 1967 at Sarsawa, and was active with Mil Mi-4 helicopters from 1 August 1967 when it was named "Whirly Wizards". In Dec 1973, the unit was re-equipped with Aérospatiale Alouette III helicopters and was renamed as "Skylarks". It was these that were decorated as "flying elephants" during Republic Day parades.[2] Later, as the first helicopter unit of the IAF to be equipped with AS 11 B1 Anti-tank guided missiles (ATGM), it was renamed to the current Tankbusters name. It was also the first unit to operate the HAL Rudra which it was allocated in 2013.[3]

Assignments

The air combatants of this unit have undertaken numerous sorties for executing relief and rescue operations in various parts of the country, including being deployed to Sri Lanka as part of Operation Pawan in 1988.[3] The unit has been awarded a Shaurya Chakra, two Vayu Sena Medals, one mention-in-Dispatches and numerous other commendations,[3] including the President's Colour Award on 5 March 2015,[4] and the Chief of Air Staff’s citation, which was awarded on the 89th Air Force Day celebrations on 8 October 2021.[5]

Aircraft

Photo of "flying elephant"

References

  1. ^ "Squadrons and Helicopter Units". Bharat Rakshak. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
  2. ^ Venckunas, Valius (18 April 2021). "The time when India had dancing elephant helicopters". aerotime.aero.
  3. ^ a b c "No.116 Helicopter Unit Tankbusters". Bharat Rakshak. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
  4. ^ "Honour & Awards - Units - President's Standard". Indian Air Force. Archived from the original on 26 October 2017. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
  5. ^ "Air Chief Awards 'Unit Citation' to 3 Squadrons of IAF for their role in Eastern Ladakh". Indian Defence News. 11 October 2021.