Ritika
MiG-21 Squadron Sword Arms Set To Retire: The ‘Sword Arm Squadron’ consisting of MiG-21 Bison fighter aircraft based at Awantipora in Srinagar is retiring on 30 September. In the year 2019, after the Balakot Air Strike, Wing Commander (now Group Captain) Abhinandan shot down an American F-16 fighter jet with his Bison fighter jet in a dog fight with the Pakistani Air Force. . Wing Commander Abhinandan was posted in this Sword Arm Squadron at that time.
For his bravery, the government awarded the Wing Commander with the Vir Chakra. However, now Group Captain Abhinandan is posted in another air base, about which the IAF has never officially disclosed. Even after the retirement of the Sword Arm, there will be three (03) squadrons of MiG21 fighter jets in the Indian Air Force, which will serve for the next 2-3 years.
Became part of the Air Force four decades ago
The MiG-21 jets were inducted into the Indian Air Force four decades ago, and many of these planes were involved in accidents. However, Russian fighter aircraft of the Soviet era have been in the news over the years due to the accidents and deaths of the pilots. If sources are to be believed, its age is a factor behind the accidents of these aircraft, but we read reports that even a modern aircraft can crash. Accidents can happen due to many factors including weather.
Participated in Kargil War
If sources are to be believed, the Srinagar-based 51 Squadron, also known as ‘Sword Arms’, is retiring as per the plan. He said that the old fleet was also in operation as new aircraft were being awaited. The Srinagar-based 51 Squadron is one of the decorative squadrons of the Indian Air Force and participated during Operation Safed Sagar (Kargil War) in 1999.
According to the Bharat Rakshak website, “It has been awarded one Vayu Sena Medal and three Mention-in-Dispatches for its effective contribution. During Operation Parakram, the squadron was entrusted with the task of air defense of the Kashmir Valley. It was launched in 1985. was raised at Chandigarh.Since its inception the squadron was awarded the President’s Standards in 2018 for its meritorious and glorious service to the nation, according to the website.
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