| No. 101 Squadron | |
|---|---|
| Active |
|
| Country |  Republic of India |
| Branch |  Indian Air Force |
| Role | Fighter |
| Garrison/HQ | Hasimara AFS |
| Nickname | "Falcons" |
| Mottos | Anwishyavedhi Search and Destroy |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Group Captain Abhisek Tripathi [1] |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Fighter | Dassault Rafale |
The No. 101 Squadron (Falcons) is an Indian Air Force fighter aircraft squadron which is equipped with the Dassault Rafale and is based at the Hasimara Air Force Station.[2]
History
101 Squadron was formed with the specific role of photo reconnaissance. Enjoying the place of pride in the Squadron crest is a trained hunting Falcon, the bird's keen eyesight, quick and sure kill ability symbolises the role for which the Squadron was formed.[3] The unit was equipped with four Harvards, two Spitfires, eight pilots and fifty five airmen. The first commanding officer was Flight Lieutenant John Frederick Shukla.[4][5]
The squadron was reinstated with Dassault Rafale in June 2021 and was inducted into Hasimara, West Bengal on 28 July 2021.[1][6]
Present
The squadron was reinstated in June 2021 with 5 Dassault Rafale in Ambala. The squadron was commissioned in its designated base in Hasimara from 28 July 2021.[7]
Assignments
Aircraft
Aircraft types operated by the squadron[4]
| Aircraft type | From | To | Air base |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harvard | June 1949 | February 1957 | Palam AFS[4] |
| Supermarine Spitfire | |||
| de Havilland Vampire | February 1957 | July 1968 | Adampur AFS[4] |
| Sukhoi Su-7 | July 1968 | June 1981 | |
| MiG-21 M | June 1981 | 2002 | Sirsa AFS[4] |
| 2002 | January 2011 | Adampur AFS[4] | |
| Dassault Rafale | 28 July 2021 | Present | Hasimara AFS[1][8] |
Gallery
-
Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria interacting with the Rafale pilots of 101 Sqn.
-
Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria during induction ceremony of 101 Squadron.
References
- ^ a b c Alex Philip, Snehesh (21 April 2021). "Rafale training of IAF pilots in France comes to an end, eyes on 'Lethal 16' next". The Print.
- ^ "Squadrons and Helicopter Units". Bharat Rakshak. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
- ^ Pike, John. "Squadron 101". Globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
- ^ a b c d e f "No.101 Squadron Falcons - Bharat Rakshak:Indian Air Force". bharat-rakshak.com. Archived from the original on 19 January 2026. Retrieved 19 January 2026.
- ^ "Flight Lieutenant Pankaj Ahluwalia". Honourpoint. Retrieved 19 January 2026.
- ^ "INDUCTION CEREMONY OF RAFALE AIRCRAFT INTO 101 SQN ON28 JUL 21". PIB. 28 July 2021.
- ^ Sagar, Pradeep R (23 June 2021). "IAF raises Rafale squadron at strategic Hasimara air base". The Week.
- ^ "IAF's second Rafale squadron to get operational by July 26". ANI. 13 July 2021.
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