Crest: The Squadron’s motto "SADAIV NIRBHIK" means" Forever Fearless" enshrines the glorious history, embodies the noble traditions and represents the ethos of the Squadron. The glorious past infuses pride and confidence among the present members. The Black Panthers are as formidable as ever and will be a potent threat to any enemy that has an evil design on our mother land.

Brief History: 37 Squadron of the Indian Air Force was formed on 23 Dec 57 at Air Force Station Palam with the motto "Forever Fearless", and was alloted the crest BLACK PANTHERS. At inception the squadron was equipped with Vampire night fighters under the command of Sqn Ldr AL Bajaj. The first few Vampires to fly in squadron colours flew in on 31 Jan 58 from BRD Kanpur. It was a short but eventful stint for the Squadron.

On 28 Dec 59 the Black Panthers moved to Jamnagar to attend the advanced Gunnery Course. They spent a few months steading their trigger fingers and having finished the course moved to Poona on 20 Feb 60 with nine fighters. 1960 brought laurels to Black Panthers. No sooner had they set their paws on Maratha soil than they were called upon to participate in the Air Force Day celebration flypast over Bombay. The flypast of Vampire jets was a show stealer. The Squadron had not even properly settled down in Poona, yet, with little partice, it put up a commendable show. The beginning of 1961 saw the Black Panthers giving an excellent demonstration of fire power at Poona for the Chief of Air Staff of the United Arab Republic. This was followed by active participation in Ex AKRAMAN at Jamnagar.

On 15 Nov 1962 the Black Panthers switched over to Hunter 56 day fighters with the role of ground attack and air defence. Wg Cdr MO Neil took over on 19 Nov 1962, and soon after the squadron moved to Ambala to participate in the Command Gunnery Meet. In spite of being just a new born baby, the Squadron put up a fairly good show. In Aug 63 the squadron participated in Ex AASMAN. In Feb 64, the Sqn moved from Poona to Chabua.

Indo Pak War 1965 : On 21 Dec 64, Wg Cdr IIN Bysak took over command of the Black Panthers, and it was under his command that the Squadron proved its mettle in the 1965 war. The Squadron was based at Chabua, when hostilities broke out. The Squadron was given the task of launching offensive action in the Eastern Sector and of providing air defence in the Western Sector. To achieve this task a detachment of four aircraft was sent to Guwahati and a detachment of 12 aircraft was sent to Hindon. The Squadron, with its divided resources, carried out the task in its traditional competent manner. In the eastern sector the offensive was launched from Guwahati and strikes were carried out against enemy airfield at Kurmitola. In the western sector the Squadron carried out ORP duties at Hindon providing effective air defence to Hindon and the Capital.

The Black Panthers moved to Tezpur from Chabua at the end of Mar 66, where command of the Sqn passed to Wg Cdr MM Sinha on 25 Aug 67, The Squadron continued to meet its operational commitments in the eastern sector, under the command of Wg Cdr PJ Jakatdar. The Squadron was taken over on 01 Apr 71 by Wg Cdr SK Kaul, MVC who went on to lead the Squadron from strength to strength to bring laurels in the 1971 war.

Liberation of Bangladesh : Dec 71: 37 Squadron played an important role towards the liberation of Bangladesh from the clutches of Pakistan during the war of Dec 71. The Squadron flew a total of 187 sorties comprising Fighter Reconnaissance, Counter Air and Close Air Support Missions from Hasimara. Before the start of the actual war this Squadron provided valuable information about the enemy disposition through its extensive reconnaissance capability and thereafter participated in almost all the battels that were fought on ground to defeat the enemy. All these efforts definitely helped towards the final goal of liberation of Bangladesh.

Fighter Reconnaissance

The Squadron carried out a total of 18 sorties of FR Missions prior to the commencement of actual hostilities on the following dates, covering the undermentioned areas and features :

• 20 Oct 71 Lal Munirhat airfield.
• 04 Nov 71 Hilli area and new airfield at Saidpur.
• 16 Nov 71 Railway station, ferry & dug in gun positions at Jamalpur and Sherpur.
• 18 Nov 71 Bunkers, dug in troops and vehicles at Dinajpur and Sahibgunj
• 22 Nov 71 Bunkers and dug in troops at Bharungmari.
• Counter Air Operations

On 04 Dec 71 the Squadron carried out counter air operations against Tejgaon and Kumaritola airfields and flew a total 18 sorties. Considerable damage was caused to the airfields, but the Squadron lost two aircraft in these missions and shot one Sabre aircraft close to Dacca.

Close Air Support During 1971 War: The battle in Hilli Area ~ Between 05 Dec 71 and 09 Dec 71 most of the flying effort of the Squadron was directed towards providing close air support to the Army for the battle in Hilli area. During this period a total of 48 sorties were flown for close air support, 20 sorties for interdiction and 4 sorties for combat air patrol. The Squadron utilised rockets, guns, napalm and 100 lb bombs and engaged targets like troops on the ground, bunkers, tanks, vehicles, bridges, railway stations, barges etc.

The battle in Rangpur / Jamalpur Area ~ The squadron was tasked to provide close air support and carry out interdiction in the Rangpur / Jamalpur area. The interdiction on Rangpur Badarganj railway line commenced on 09 Dec 71. After the initial armed reccee sorties, the actual attack commenced on 10 Dec 71 and lasted for two days. A total of 28 sorties were flown on 10 Dec 71. Apart from other targets a brigade headquarters at Rangpur was engaged and considerable damage was caused to the retreating Pakistani troops from Hilli area.

The Battles in Bogra/Tangail/Dacca Area ~ Before the commencement of operations in this area on 12 Dec 71, reconnaissance sorties were flown on 11 Dec 71 covering Mymen Singh, Madhupur and Tangail area. The attack commenced on 12 Dec 71 and continued till 15 Dec 71. During this period wide ranging targets were engaged at Tangail, Bogra, Silgory, Saidpur, Fardpur, Nilphamari and Nator. A total of 40 sorties were flown. Apart from the conventional targets engaged by the Squadron two sorties were flown to attack the Government house at Dacca on 14 Dec 71. The culmination of the war came when the Squadron mounted eight sorties over Pak Army Headquarters in Dacca University on 15 Dec 71.

The black Panthers contributed significantly towards the IAF tasks in the liberation of Bangladesh. During the 12 days of war, the Squadron lost two ac and two pilots. The men who lost their lives will always be remembered. Every member of the Black Panthers contributed towards the overall achievement. However, special mention needs to be made of the gallantry of Wg Cdr SK Kaul, who was decorated with the MVC and young Fg Offr H Masand, who was awarded the Vr C.

Achievements Since 1971

History during war is, perhaps, more interesting and easier to document than history during peacetime. Yet, the last 25 years have brought many important developments for the Black Panthers.

The Squadron moved to Kalaikunda in Dec 73. During the period 1974 to 1976, under the command of Wg Cdr SK Sahni, the Squadron continued with its operational task in the Eastern Sector and also undertook the additional commitments of conversion training of pilots on Hunter aircraft. In 1975, the Squadron won the Eastern Command armament trophy and added another feather to its cap.

In Feb 77 the Squadron was re-equipped with the aircraft MiG 21M, under the Command of Wg Cdr DS Nagi and moved to Adampur for operational duties. The role of the Squadron, ground attack/air defence, remained unchanged. Within a short period the Squadron and personnel achieved operational status. After a brief stint at Chandigarh from 1983-85, the Squadron moved to its present location on 13 Feb 85. Black Panthers have been thundering across the skies of the only desert air base of WAC, IAF since then.

The Black Panthers have always maintained the highest standard of operational readiness and flight safety. In Dec 60, the Squadron won the gunnery trophy in the Inter Unit Gunnery Meet at Tilpat range. In 1975 the Squadron won the Eastern Air Command Armament Trophy. In 1977 the Black Panthers were adjudged the best Squadron in WAC for operational efficiency and flight safety. In 1997 the Squadron won the WAS Flight Safety Trophy for nil Human error accident in 10,000 flying hours. Besides the Black Panthers have cheered their countrymen in Delhi during number of Republic Day Fly Pasts by trailing national colours. The personnel of the Squadron have always maintained high morale, a high standard of discipline and high standard of flight safety without compromising operational efficiency. Many personnel of the Squadron have earned decorations and commendations of the Chief of the Air Staff and Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief.

The Squadron’s motto "SADAIV NIRBHIK" ( Forever Fearless) enshrines the glorious history, embodies the noble traditions and represents the ethos of the Squadron. The glorious past infuses pride and confidence among the present members. The Black Panthers are as formidable as ever and will be a potent threat to any enemy that has an evil design on our mother land. Air Cmde KP Sreekanth, VM is the Commodore Commandant of the Squadron.

LOCATION AND AIRCRAFT FLOWN