President Awards Standard to 31 SQN & Colours to 9 BRD of Air Force

INVC,,

Pune,,

The President of India, and the Supreme Commander of Indian Armed Forces, Smt Pratibha Devi Singh Patil awarded the prestigious Presidential Standard to 31 Sqn AF and Colours to 9 Base Repair Depot (BRD) AF, during a grand ceremonial parade held at Air Force Station, Lohegaon in Pune, this morning. The Commanding Officer of 31 Squadron Wg Cdr Ashutosh Srivastava received the Standard whereas Air Officer Commanding of 9 BRD, Air Commodore BR Chandran received the Colours from the President. Both formations of the Indian Air Force (IAF) are based at Pune.

IAF Operational Squadrons become eligible for award of Presidential Standards after completion of 18 years, while Base Repair Depots and Training Institutions become eligible for award of Presidential Colours after 25 years. The selection is based on their past record and achievements during peace as well as hostilities and acknowledges the rich heritage and impeccable record of meritorious service rendered by the units. The Colours are awarded to non flying formations and Standards are awarded to Operational Units.

Speaking on the occasion the President Patil said as we embark on the path of economic progress the need to preserve peace is essential for which effective deterrence is necessary.We do not wish to initiate or encourage conflict in the region but if it is thrust upon us, I am confident that our Armed Forces will rise to the occasion and keep the country’s flag high.

The Governor of Maharashtra Mr K. Shankarnarayanan, the state Cooperatives Minister Harshavardhan Patil, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal P V Naik, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C), South Western Air Command, Air Marshal AK Gogoi, AOC-in-C, Maintenance Command, Air Marshal PV Athavale were present on the occasion.

The Parade was commanded by Group Captain NN Sinha, the Chief Operations Officer of Air Force Station Pune. The Lohagoan Air Base houses three fighter Squadrons, and also has two technical training Schools, one Missile Squadron, one radar unit and Air Force Intelligence School. Air Force Base, Pune continues to be a frontline operational base and is presently commanded by Air Cmde Shreesh Mohan.

The President also released the First Day Cover of a postal stamp on 31 Sqn and 9 BRD at the function. A display of precision and daredevilry by the Air Warrior Drill Team held on the occasion was enjoyed by the audience.

31 Squadron was formed at Pathankot on 01 Sep 1963, and was equipped with the potent French Mystere aircraft. During both the wars with Pakistan in 1965 as well as in 1971, the squadron was extensively employed in the ground attack role in support of the Indian Army on the western front. The squadron operated Mysteres till 1973, and then the Indian made Maruts till 1983 before re-equipping with the MiG 23 which it flew from 1983 till its number plating in Sep 2003. The Squadron was resurrected on 01 Jan 2009 at Air Force Station Pune under the command of Wg Cdr A Srivastav. The Squadron has been the backbone of the IAF’s strike force in several Operations including Brasstracks, Meghdoot, Safed Sagar, Parakram and Vijay Chakra. For its gallant role in various operations, the Sqn has earned one Maha Vir Chakra, three Vir Chakras, one Vishit Seva Medal apart from several commendations by CAS and C-in-Cs. The Squadron is now re-equipped with the cutting edge SU-30 MKI multi role fighter, armed with a state-of-the-art radar, avionics, beyond visual range missiles, precision guided ground attack weapons and air to air refueling capabilities increasing the operational capability of the squadron manifold. The unit continues its operational service exemplifying the unit motto; “Shatrum Chhidrey Praharet” meaning, “ A kill with every blow”.

9 BRD, the recipient of Presidential Colours, undertakes major repair and servicing of a variety of avionics, ground-to-air communicatioin equipment, radar and navigational aids and airfield support equipment. It is now on the threshold of inducting new repair lines which would significantly enhance its support to Air Operations. The Depot, initially known as the Base Signals Repair Unit (BSRU), was formed on 01 May 1957 with the amalgamation of two sections – namely Wireless Repair Section and Radio Repair Section. During the Sino-Indo conflict and Goa Operations in 1961-62, the unit fabricated power supply unit for an Early Warning Radar within local resources, which provided valuable assistance during the conduct of air operations. The unit was re-designated as 9 BRD on 01 Apr 1966. During the 70’s some special projects were accomplished. Subsequently, in Kargil Operations a major thrust was laid towards indigenization. The depot has not only met the field units demands on main equipment, but has been instrumental in indigenigation of several critical sub-assemblies and modules.

The depot contributes immensely in sustaining existing operational vehicle leap-frogging towards modernization in an era of rapidly changing technology. 9 BRD AF is presently commanded by Air Cmde BR Chandran. He has a team of well qualified and highly dedicated officers, PBORs and civilians. The Depot is IS/ISO9001:2000 certified wef 23 Apr 2003 and is working towards IS/ISO9001:2008 accreditation.

Interacting with media after the function the Air Chief Marshal PV Naik said that sustantial upgradation will be made to the infrastructure of the Pune Air Force station.