No. 104 Helicopter Squadron, IAF
Military unit
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No. 104 Helicopter Squadron (Pioneer Rotarians) is a fighter squadron and is equipped with Mil Mi-35 and based at Suratgarh Air Force Station.[1]
Republic of India
Indian Air Force| No. 104 Helicopter Squadron | |
|---|---|
| Active | 10 March 1954- Present |
| Country | Republic of India |
| Branch | Indian Air Force |
| Garrison/HQ | Suratgarh AFS |
| Nickname | "Pioneer Rotarians" |
| Mottos | Apatsu Mitram A friend in time of need |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Attack | Mil Mi-35 |
History
The acquisition of Sikorsky S-55 in 1954 heralded the creation of the first Helicopter Flight within the IAF, and in 1958 become established as the first dedicated Helicopter Unit, No. 104 Helicopter Squadron.[2]
The IAF S-55s were later phased out in 1966 inducting other helicopter types into service, such as the Mil Mi-35 model in 1990.[3]
As of November 2022, the Mi-35s of the Squadron is undergoing complete overhauls in Russia in two batches. The first batch was already in Russia by then while the entire process is to be completed by mid-2023. Overhaul of each batch shall take 6-8 months. The overhaul would increase its service life by 6 years keeping them active beyond this decade.[4][5][6]
Assignments
Aircraft
| Aircraft | From | To | Air Base |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sikorsky S-55 | 10 March 1954 | March 1965 | Palam AFS[7] |
| March 1965 | May 1967 | Hindan AFS | |
| May 1967 | N/A | Saharanpur AFS | |
| HAL Chetak | N/A | N/A | |
| Mil Mi-35 | April 1990 | April 1995 | Bhatinda AFS |
| May 1995 | Present | Suratgarh AFS |