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]

No. 101 Squadron
Active
  • 1 May 1949 - January 2011
  • June 2021 - Present
CountryIndia Republic of India
Branch Indian Air Force
RoleFighter
Garrison/HQHasimara AFS
Nickname(s)"Falcons"
Motto(s)Anwishyavedhi
Search and Destroy
Commanders
Current
commander
Group Captain Abhisek Tripathi [1]
Aircraft flown
FighterDassault Rafale

History

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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 squadron was reinstated with Dassault Rafale in June 2021 and was inducted into Hasimara, West Bengal on 28 July 2021.[1][4]

Present

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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.[5]

Assignments

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Aircraft

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Aircraft types operated by the squadron[6]

Aircraft Type From To Air Base
Harvard June 1949 February 1957 Palam AFS[6]
Supermarine Spitfire
de Havilland Vampire February 1957 July 1968 Adampur AFS[6]
Sukhoi Su-7 July 1968 June 1981
MiG-21 M June 1981 2002 Sirsa AFS[6]
2002 January 2011 Adampur AFS[6]
Dassault Rafale 28 July 2021 Present Hasimara AFS[1][7]
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References

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  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ "Squadrons and Helicopter Units". Bharat Rakshak. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
  3. ^ Pike, John. "Squadron 101". Globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  4. ^ "INDUCTION CEREMONY OF RAFALE AIRCRAFT INTO 101 SQN ON28 JUL 21". PIB. 28 July 2021.
  5. ^ Sagar, Pradeep R (23 June 2021). "IAF raises Rafale squadron at strategic Hasimara air base". The Week.
  6. ^ a b c d e "No.101 Squadron Falcons - Bharat Rakshak:Indian Air Force". bharat-rakshak.com.
  7. ^ "IAF's second Rafale squadron to get operational by July 26". ANI. 13 July 2021.