Indian Naval Aviation : Squadrons

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INAS 322
Search Fearlessly - Rescue Valiantly

A shield with angel wings and the iconic 'lifebuoy' in the centre represents the squadron's role of being the guardian at sea. The waves below the shield represent high seas signifying Dhruv's extended reach for providing the SAR. As truly depicted by squadron crest, the unit is the guardian at high seas, by day & night, reaching out to those who need a helping hand. Anytime, Anywhere.

Indian Naval Air Squadron 322, better known as the Guardians, is based at INS Garuda Kochi. Post government sanction for the Advanced Light Helicopter design in 1984, the ALH flights were formed at Kochi and Goa in 2005. In time, both these flights were merged to form a squadron. The first operational Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) squadron of the Indian Navy was, thus, commissioned on 12 Nov 2013 and flies both Mk I and the Mk III naval variants of the ALH.

The alma mater of all ALH pilots in the sparkling whites, the Guardians are a repository of all things ALH in the Navy and have been pioneering the trials and enduring the tribulations to realise the true potential of the machine. The squadron specialises in advanced SAR by day and the hitherto uncharted territory of night SAR apart from special heliborne operations, sniper ops, combat freefall, VIP, and Com duties.

The unit has participated and earned laurels in various fields/events. They received the trophy for the 'Best Frontline Squadron' for the years 2013-14 and 2019-20 and were adjudged the 'Best Training Squadron' for the year 2017-18. They also won the Unit Citation in Dec 2018. The squadron has been at the forefront of many medical and casualty evacuations undertaken at the Southern Naval Command. The first-ever night Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) by the unit was carried out from Ezhimala for a Coast Guard Officer requiring critical medical treatment in Mar 2011. Swift response by the squadron for SAR/HADR operations in the aftermath of cyclone Ockhi on 30 Nov 2017 saved 37 survivors who were rescued from cyclone-affected areas of Kerala including the unfortunate fishermen from sea. The Indian Navy's rescue mission - Operation Sahayam - in the aftermath of the cyclone was the biggest humanitarian and disaster relief operation undertaken after the tsunami in 2004. Again, during the Kerala floods in 2018, the squadron undertook extensive flying towards SAR/HADR missions as part of Operation Madad from 09 to 21 Aug 2018. The unprecedented floods had severely affected and damaged life and property. The squadron responded to the HADR operation by clocking 122:40 hours and 51 sorties in 06 days rescuing a total of 182 survivors and dropping approximately 35 tons of relief materials at various locations. Extensive flying was undertaken from numerous dispersed locations like NAD (Alwaye), Chalakudy, Chengannur, and Alleppey. In recognition of extensive rescue and relief operations undertaken by the squadron during Op Sahayam and Op Madad, the squadron was awarded the 'Humanitarian Service Award' by the Rotary Wing Society of India in Sep 2018.

In addition, the unit was tasked to establish an ALH contingent of the Indian Navy comprising of one ALH Mk III helicopter at the Maldives in Apr 2016 where the Flight successfully carried out SAR, CASEVAC, MEDEVAC, and HADR operations from remotely accessible islands in coordination with MNDF.

The unit has the distinction of participating in the first tri-services 'Trishul' formation fly-past during the RD parade on 26 Jan 2020.

Missions* Other CASEVAC

Mar 2011
Casualty evacuation (CASEVAC) at night from Ezhimala to Calicut

Sep 2015
CASEVAC of two personnel from Ezhimala to Calicut

Apr 2016
CASEVAC at Puttingal temple, Kollam

Jun 2016
Rescued four fishermen off Allepey from a capsized boat

Nov 2016
CASEVAC from INA

Jun 2018
First afloat night CASEVAC of one crew member from MV Nu-Shi Nalini off Kochl

Jul 2018
CASEVAC of two personnel from MV Al-Fattan
*Updated till early 2021

 

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INAS 323
Protectors Beyond Perception

The squadron crest depicts a Harrier bird, searching over the vast blue and white sea waves. The agile bird known for its sensory capability signifies the competence of the highly equipped sensor platform on the helicopter and her crew's steely resolve.

INAS 323 came into existence on 19 Apr 2021 and became the first Indian Naval Air Squadron to be commissioned with the indigenously built ALH MK III in keeping with the spirit of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat'. The helo is a twin-engine, multi-role, multi-mission helicopter in the 5.5 ton weight class with Shakti engines manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. The Mk III version has an all-glass cockpit and is used for Search and Rescue ops, special operations, and coastal surveillance. With the increasing maritime security threat and the ever-present political tussle with not so friendly neighbours, the induction of ALH in an operational role on the western coast was inescapable. Dhruv proved her mettle in all the three services of the Armed Forces, the Indian Coast Guard, the BSF, and with some foreign countries.

Immediately after the commissioning, the squadron inducted Medical Intensive Care Unit on board towards urgent MEDEVAC missions and aided in the COVID fight. They were also called into action and were detached to INS Shikra, Mumbai, for SAR operations in the aftermath of cyclone Tauktae.

Apart from low-intensity maritime operations (LIMO) and coastal security construct, the squadron is tasked with advanced surveillance and search and rescue ops with ranges over 100 nm. The unit is also involved in missions like Carrier Onboard Delivery (COD) in support of INS Vikramaditya, special heliborne operations with Marine Commandos, armed patrol with night vision devices, sniper ops, VVIP carriage, and night SAR.

The squadron is stationed at INS Hansa, Goa, and is nicknamed Harrier's Nest. 705

 

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INAS 333
Total commitment to Training and Professionalism

The squadron logo depicts an eagle with its wings sprawled and the menacing look of a predator evident in its eyes against the backdrop of three blades signifying the rotors of the helicopter. The white and blue waves below the eagle denote the sea supremacy effectuated by the squadron. Further, the eagle can be seen clutching a torpedo in its claws ready to wreak havoc upon the enemy submarines indicating the ASW role of the squadron.

In late 1970, the Indian Navy decided to bolster its aviation arm to improve the punch of its maritime forces. Along with the procurement of Kashin-Il class Destroyers, besides called Rajput class or just 'R' class, Naval Headquarters also cleared the decks for the induction of the first Russian helicopter Kamov-25 in the Navy. After a lull of two years, in Jul 1979, the first batch of Officers and sailors proceeded to Poti, USSR, and subsequently to Naval Air Station Kacha, Crimea. The crew were thoroughly trained in the various nuances of the operation and maintenance of the aircraft. This was followed by the acceptance of Kamov-25 aircraft in full swing. The squadron was set up at INS Hansa, Goa, in Apr 1980 and was commissioned on 11 Dec 1980.

Known as the Eagles, they were tasked with training aircrew and for ASW operations. With the formation of integral ship borne flights on Rajput in May 1980, Rana in Feb 1982, and Ranjit in Aug 1983, the squadron virtually became an indispensable part of the Fleet operations by embarking on multiple Occasions to undertake multifarious missions. The squadron also garnered laurels by its active involvement in Op Cactus and also for its participation in the President's Fleet Review at Mumbai in Feb 1989.

By mid-1985, negotiations for inducting Kamov-28 were cleared along with the procurement of two new Ranvir class Destroyers and the crew was dispatched to Russia for conversion and flight acceptance. Despite the deteriorating serviceability state of the ageing Kamov-25, the squadron did not lose steam and orientation and was awarded the 'Best Training Squadron' and the 'Best Naval Squadron' in 1992-93. In 1999, the squadron brought laurels to the Navy when four Kamov-28 aircraft contingent participated in the Republic Day parade.

On 30 Sep 2000, the squadron was rebased at Visakhapatnam with Kamov-25 helicopters which were in tandem with the Navy's efforts of rebasing all 'R' class Destroyers at Visakhapatnam. This was the much needed shot in the arm for the Eastern Naval Command and the squadron proved to be a force multiplier during various exercises with the Eastern Fleet. The Kamov-28 aircraft which had been commissioned into INAS 339 was rebased at Vizag in May 2009. After having had a brilliant run for almost three decades, Kamov 25 aircraft were decommissioned in the same year.

The squadron has to its credit operated in a plethora of intra-IN theatre level exercises on both sides of the peninsular mainland and has always brought tactical surprise and success in operations. The Kamov-25 and the Kamov-28 have always been the high point of any exercise with multinational forces, who had great respect and awe for the aircraft and the squadron. The aircraft has been the cynosure of all eyes during overseas deployments and were as much loved as they were feared and respected. The aircraft had landed on USN CVN warships, JMSDF warships, FNS warships, BNS warships, and Russian warships.

In the early-2020s, the Kamov 28 aircraft underwent overhaul and mid-life upgradation in Russia. These aircraft were equipped with state-of-art sensors and weapons with the integration of the latest technologies from Russia and European companies. Meanwhile, keeping up with the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' spirit, the squadron was part of the major project of the first indigenous mid-life upgradation of KV 595.

 

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INAS 561
Hard work. Perseverance. Excellence

The squadron crest was unveiled in Nov 1971 which depicted a three-blade rotor that signifies continuous rotation, relentless efforts towards completion of training on time.

INAS 561 or popularly known as 'Rotors' is the Helicopter Training School of the Indian Navy. This is where trainee pilots learn the ropes and take their baby steps into Naval Aviation. To date, more than 100 courses and 750 rotary-wing helicopter pilots have passed out through this Illustrious School.

Until 1971, the Indian Navy's aviation arm was restricted mainly to carrier-borne aviation -basically catapult-launched aeroplanes and SAR flight. Until this time the naval helicopter pilots were learning and graduating from Cambatta aviation on the Huges 300 helos and thereafter on Allouette at INS Garuda. A need was felt for a completely naval oriented approach towards helicopter flying which involved carrier-based ops, survey operations, and SAR at sea. To this end, the idea of having a Helicopter Training School (HTS) was mooted. This finally took shape with the commissioning of the school at INS Garuda, Kochi.

The squadron birds were Hughes 300 helicopters for basic training and Alouette helicopters for advanced training. The first Helicopter Conversion Course consisted of three pilots. To motivate trainee pilots and to inculcate the spirit of competition the then Governor of Kerala instituted a rolling trophy for Best Overall Pilot of the course.

Mission

Jul 1972
Rescued the stranded crew at the Kochi Port Trust

Dec 1972
Relief efforts post cyclone at Cuddalore

Sep 1974
SAR of missing fishermen and their boats

Oct 1976
Rescue mission at Kotturpuram

Jan 1980
Evacuation of a serious patient at sea Flood relief efforts at Vizag

Nov 1985
Rescue operations during Chennai floods

Aug 1986
Flood relief efforts in Andhra Pradesh

July 1988
SAR cover for a train accident

Mar 1989
Detachment to Batticoloa

Apr 1990
Rescue mission on an Italian ship

Aug 1998
SAR and humanitarian missions

Dec 2004
SAR onboard INS Sukanya