No. 20 Squadron IAF

No. 20 Squadron (Lightnings) is a fighter squadron. It is equipped with Sukhoi Su-30MKI and based at Lohegaon Air Force Station, Pune.[1]

No. 20 Squadron
Active1 June 1956 - Present
Country Republic of India
Branch Indian Air Force
RoleFighter
Garrison/HQLohegaon Air Force Station
Nickname(s)"Lightnings"
Motto(s)Vegvankutobhayah
Swift and Fearless
Aircraft flown
AttackSukhoi Su-30MKI

History

The Lightnings stuck with tremendous impact during the December 1971 operations. A decade later, No. 20 Squadron were chosen to form the IAF's formation aerobatic team given the appellation of "Thunderbolts".[2]

The IAF's most decorated squadron, No.20 Lightnings, was re-commissioned from its number plated status to operational status.[3] Its pilots and crews were mainly drawn from the first Sukhoi squadron, No. 24 Squadron IAF 'Hunting Hawks,' with which it shares Lohegaon Air Force Station, and therefore have considerable experience on the type.This squadron is considered as one of the parent squadrons of the Sukhoi 30 MKI in the IAF. Also the No.20 Squadron played an important role in making the Flankers fully operational in the Indian Air Force.

References
  1. "Squadrons and Helicopter Units". Bharat Rakshak. Retrieved 26 July 2012.
  2. http://www.lancerpublishers.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=298
  3. http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/history/1971war/1276-20-squadron.html


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