No 18 Squadron Indian Air Force – All You Need To Know

No 18 Squadron Flying Bullets is a Fighter Squadron of Indian Air Force. The Squadron is based at Sulur Air Force Station in Tamil Nadu. It is currently being equipped with LCA Tejas Fighters. The motto of Squadron is “Teevra aur Nirbhaya” which means “Swift and Fearless”.

History

No 18 Squadron Flying Bullets was established with 5 Folland Gnats in the year 1965. It was based at Srinagar Air Force Station in Jammu and Kashmir. It didn’t participate in 1965 Indo-Pak War. The squadron saw its first action in 1971 Indo-Pak War. The Squadron was tasked to defend the Kashmir Region and Srinagar AFS. Although Pakistan conducted many Air strikes on Srinagar AFS, the Pilots of No 18 Squadron defended the Air Field. Flying Officer Nirmal Jeet Singh Shekhon shot down the PAF Sabres in the dogfight and when his Gnat Fighter was hit, the Parachute failed to deploy and the Young Pilot Flying Officer Nirmal Jeet Singh Shekhon was conferred with Param Vir Chakra Posthumously.

After 1971 Indo-Pak War

After the 1971 Indo-Pak War, the Squadron was equipped with the HAL Ajeets in 1975. Later the Squadron was shifted to Hindon Air Force Station with MiG 27 Fighters. In the year 2015, squadron received the Presidential Colours by then President Pranab Mukherjee. After the phasing out of MiG 27 Fighters, the squadron became non-operational.

In the Recent years, the Squadron is restructured and being equipped with the FOC Configured LCA Tejas. The Squadron is commanded by Group Captain Manish Tolani. It is presently based at Sulur Air Force Station along with No. 45 Squadron Flying Daggers. After the Squadron is fully equipped with FOC Tejas, both No 18 and No 45 Squadrons will be shifted to Northern and Western Frontline Airbases of Indian Air Force.

Also Read : India Celebrates Vijay Diwas to Commemorate 1971 Indo-Pak War

Also Read : Journey of LCA Tejas l HAL to Indian Air Force & Indian Navy

BOOKS BY DDE FOR DEFENCE ASPIRANTS

 

HIGH SUCCESS RATE 

Start your SSB preparations with these specially curated ebooks.

Stage 1 SSB – SSB Oir ebook

SSB Psychology Test – Click Here

SSB Group Tasks  – Click Here

Thematic Apperception Test – Click Here

Situation Reaction Test – Click Here