Crest: The majestic one-horned Rhino, an exclusive inhabitant of Assam, standing in the foreground with two spears of the fiercest warrior tribe of the East – the Nagas in the backdrop, inspires awe and admiration to the observer. This is the crest that 30 Sqn AF has been bestowed by the President of India on 21 Sep 1979 and presented by the AOC-in-C, EAC on 15 May 1980.

The crest well qualifies the spirit and character of the Squadron. The strength, vigour and aggression of the Officers and personnel equals, if not surpasses, that of the Rhino; besides the squadron is also permanently housed at Tezpur, Assam. The Naga spears symbolize their fearlessness and fierceness when aroused – truly a warrior clan.

`Boundless Valour’ – their motto injects added courage to the pilots to blaze a trail or glory in the skies.

Brief History: 30 Sqn was formed on 01 Nov 69 at 11 Wg. The Squadron emblem of a Rhino with two crossed spears in the back ground was approved by Shri Neelam Sanjiva Reddy, the President of India, on 21 Sep 79 and the same was presented to the squadron on 15 May 80 by Air Marshal LM Katre PVSM, AVSM & BAR, the then AOC-in-C, Eastern Air Command.

The RHINO was so chosen as the squadron emblem since the Rhino is one of the two largest land based mammals. It is also one of the most feared animals due to its enormous strength, agility and deadly effect it can put its horn to. Rhinos are extremely fast-they can reach speeds of 60 Kmph – almost twice as fast as the fastest man. The Rhinos are the `Forest Fire Safety Officer’ and stamp out fires fearlessly. Another reason for such an emblem is because of the location of the squadron in Assam, that too in close proximity to the famous Kaziranga National Park.

Soon after its inception, the Sqn won the coveted EAC Sqn Combat Efficiency Meet (SCEMEAC) overall trophy. It was placed 1st in Air-Air firing & briefing, tactical flying, and maintenance. It was placed 2nd in Air-Ground firing.

1971 Ops

The Sqn was kept in a high-alert state of readiness from Sep 71 and manned a 4 aircraft ORP on a day & night basis at KKD and Panagarh.

On 03 Dec 71, the aircrew got together for a final briefing on codes, conduct, and plans of operation. On the very first day of the war, Sqn Ldr Shankar and Flt Lt Mittal engaged a pair of SABRES while on a mission over Dacca but were not lucky in achieving a kill.

A week later, half of the Squadron moved to Chandigarh and undertook ORP duties. Soon they were moved to Pathankot, while the remaining half were retained at Chandigarh. The Sqn operated from the western sector and engaged the enemy a number of times. The Sqn maintained a 98% serviceability rate through out the war.

Post War

The Squadron won the SMEMEAC Maintenance trophy for 1972.

In Jun 73, Wg Cdr GL Daniel took over command of the Squadron. The Squadron moved from KKD to Tezpur during his tenure. The Squadron bagged the SMEMEAC Maintenance trophy once again in 1975 under the command of Wg Cdr AD Alley.

Type Training Squadron

In Jun 1976, the Squadron was declared a `Type Training Squadron'. Since then, the squadron is continuing to do its assigned task effectively.

In 1977, the Squadron won the "Best Squadron of the year” award in Flight Safety. Wg Cdr MM Sehgal took over command in Jan 81. During his tenure, the Squadron achieved the following: -

(a) 1981 - EAC Gunnery Meet:

(i) Rockets- Best Team Trophy
(ii) Bombs-Individual Trophy

(b) 1981 - Best Squadron in Flight Safety

(c) 1981 - Best Supersonic Squadron

(d) 1981 - IAF rolling trophy for Best rated GA/AD system.

(e) 1982 - EAC gunnery meet - Best Bombing team.

(f) 1982 - Best Flight Safety Squadron.

In 1984, President Zail Singh visited the squadron.

In Aug 84, Wg Cdr SK Jain took over command. In 1984 – 85 Ex Ekalavya the Sqn won the Guns team event.

In Dec 86, Wg Cdr S Bhojwani took over command of the Squadron for a short span of 7 months. In 85 – 86 the Sqn won the best flight safety Sqn in Supersonic group.

In Aug 87, Wg Cdr S Chopra took over the Sqn. During his tenure the Rhinos set up a Museum. The Squadron moved from `B' dispersal to`C' dispersal in May 87, to make room for MOFTU, a new raising. It celebrated its 18th Anniversary that year. The sqn recorded 100%serviceability on 22 Feb, 04 Jul and 26 Aug of that year as well as 02 Aug of the next year.

In May 89, Wg Cdr GS Nijjar took over the command of the Squadron. The Squadron was awarded the following trophies during Ekalavya, held at 20 Wing, AF on 26 May 90.

(a) Team Events Conventional R/P.

(b) Team Events Conventional Bomb.

In the year 1994, the Squadron celebrated its Silver Jubilee. The Sqn was runners up in Best fighter Sqn competition.

The Squadron manned 3 detachments during Jan 94. The unit carried out air to air firing at 5 Wing in Jan 94. One detachment was manned at 28 Wing for ORP and Op location activation. Another was manned at No. 1 FBSU for Op location activities. The Squadron operated a 3 ac ORP detachment at 19 Wing in Jul 94.

In Jan 95, detachments at 5 Wing AF and 19 Wing AF were operated during Ex-Poorvi Akash III. In Feb, 3 pilots operated a detachment for Ex-Trishul at 9 Wing AF. Sqn participated in OAS exercise code named "Hawai Shakti” from 16 to 21 Aug 95. The Squadron participated in "Poorvi Akash IV". 3 aircraft and 4 pilots operated from 19 Wing AF for AD of 509 SU, HQ EAC & 19 Wing AF. The Sqn achieved 100% serviceability on 21 Jul 95 and again from 21 – 24 Mar of next year.

The Squadron achieved 100% serviceability of 15 fighters & 01 trainer on the unit strength from 03 Apr 98 to 12 Apr 98 for a period of 10 days under the command of Wg Cdr AC Rajeev. On 06 Apr 98 all 16 aircraft were airborne at the same time. In 1998 the Sqn was assessed Av+ by DASI in Ops, Adm and Maintenance. In 2000 the Sqn was assessed Hi Av in Op, Maint and Av+ in Adm by DASI. In 2002, despite of the aging fleet and reduction in spares the Sqn achieved 100% serviceability of fighter from 22 – 25 May 2002. All the fighters were flown on 22 May 2002.

The Sqn undertakes the training of 15 pilots (on an average) at any point in time so as to graduate them as `Ops Day’ upon successful completion of a one-year syllabus. The `Rhinos’ pride themselves in the quality of training imparted to the young, aspiring fighter pilots so that these young men are an asset to the operational units upon leaving the squadron. Besides imparting flying training, significant emphasis is placed on proper grooming of the young officers into the IAF so that they uphold the traditions of ‘An officer and a gentleman’.

Over the years the squadron has gathered in strength, acquired a new motto - “Boundless Valour” and a suitable title - “Rhinos” symbolising courage, aggression and valour.

The squadron completed 32 years of glorious service to the nation on 01 Nov 2001.

Commanding Officers