Crest: 43 Squadron Crest was approved on 09 April 1962. The squadron crest consists of the squadron emblem an Ibex head on a Chinar leaf. The Ashoka seal is placed on top.

The squadron was stationed in Jammu & Kashmir from Apr 60 to Sep 65 and the emblem was aptly chosen as the Ibex, a mountain goat found in the J&K region, symbolizing the activities of the Sqn similar to that of the Ibex which is undeterred by the jagged rocks, steep clif, inhospitable terrain and forbidding snow of the challenging Himalayas.

Motto: The squadron motto was modestly coined as "NABHSA JEEVAN DHARA" i.e. a life line through the sky symbolizing the deeds of valour of the gallant "Ibexes" in the 62,65, 71 conflicts, later in erstwhile NEFA, IPKF operations in Sri Lanka and present day Arunachal Pradesh.

Squadron History

Ask any naturalist and you will be told that IBEX is a creature with four legs and two horns, nearly extinct in the Indian Himalayas – but ask any one in Upper Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland and they will tell that the IBEXEX are a two legged- upright breed far from extinction, who are apparently made up of stamina, guts and cocktail with their hide-out in Jorhat. The IBEXES greed the rising Sun in their blues, spend the day flitting in and out of the misty mountains in their magnificent flying machines, set the evenings on fire with their screeching cries and live up gallantly to the Air Force motto on "TOUCH THE SKY WITH GLORY".

The chequered history of the IBEXES dates back to 20 Jan 58 when it was first formed at Barrackpore. The squadron was then equipped with Dakotas fondly nicknamed as the "GOONEY BIRD". The first Commanding Officer was Wg Cdr MK Nerurkar. The squadron chose for its emblem the IBEX, which is undeterred by the jagged rocks, steep cliffs, inhospitable terrain and forbidding shows of the challenging Himalayas. For its motto, the squadron chose ‘NABHASA JEEVAN DHARA" LITERALLY MEANING "A LIFELINE THROUGH THE SKIES" and that is what it always was and still is to the people in the remote hills or trapped by natural calamities.

In no time after its birth, the IBEXES were swinging in the mountains. A detachment was sent to Jammu & Kashmir. The squadron made Srinagar and Jammu its summer and winter bases respectively. The squadron was given MK IV DAKOTA soon after. The MK IV DAKOTA had certain useful modifications, which made it capable of operating at high altitudes in Jammu & Kashmir, where the squadron helped to maintain the Himalayan Airlift.

Life, however, is not all sugar and spice. Every silver lining has a dark cloud. So it was too with No. 43 Squadron. In May 1961, the squadron had its first patch to bad luck. An aircraft captained by Flt Lt BK Deseares crashed in one of the most inhospitable terrains while on an Air dropping mission. Flt Lt Deseares had a miraculous escape and inspite of being injured exhibited exemplary courage in helping to save the life of his crew, Fg Offr YD Chadha. His bravery earned him the ASHOKA CHAKRA II. As a prelude to the 1965 operations, the squadron was entrusted with special operational sorties and undertook special flights to transport captured arms, ammunition and armed infiltrators. On 06 Sep 65, the squadron had its first direct encounter with the enemy. Three aircraft took off from Amritsar in the evening with for Hunter escorts when they were attacked by a formation of four Sabres and a B-57 bomber. The Hunters latched on the Sabres. The B-57 got a chance and fired at the last DAKOTA, which was still on the ground about to take off. The DAKOTA was not hit and got airborne safely. Throughout the war the squadron worked in top gear flying from dusk to dawn at low level with no radio navigational aids. Soon after the war the squadron moved to Sarsawa, near Saharanpur. In 1967, KALINGA AIRWAS stopped their flying operations in Assam and the Government of India entrusted the Herculean task of Air maintenance in NEFA to 43 squadron. The squadron shifted to in UPPER ASSAM in Jun 1967. The new job was a tricky one as against the task in Ladakh Mountains but was soon learnt and mastered. The DAKOTA stood the test of time and soon became a common sight in the skies of Assam. It became the lifeline, the bread-giver, the provider to the people living in the remotest hill villages and the soldiers who maintain a constant vigil on the Eastern Boarders. For their dedicated service and perseverance, the IBEXES have become a nostalgic legend and a hallmark in the hills of Assam.

In the same year, the squadron had another incident. During a tactical mission from Dibrugarh to Jorhat, one of the propellers of the aircraft flew off. The pilot, using his skill and aided by some real good luck landed his bird on the soft riverbank of the Brahamputra. The crew did not suffer a scratch. A few months later on 18 Apr 1968 then Wg Cdr KD Chadha, the Commanding Officer, had new propellers fitted and performed the miracle of flying out the aeroplane from the riverbed.

The 1971 Indo-Pak operations saw the IBEXES back in action. They formed the ‘K’ Flight of the Mukti Bahini and carried out clandestine operations. The finale of airtransported operations culminated in the ‘Tangail Drop’, in which the IBEXES were represented by a formation of six aeroplanes. The ‘Tangail Drop’ was a classic of airborne assault operations and greatly contributed to the early surrender of the Pakistani Forces in east Pakistan. The Jorhat Station Commander got a Mahavir Chakra and Sqn Ldr SK Chaudhary got a Vir Chakra for their courageous contribution during this period.

By now the GOONEY BIRD was 40 years old and not getting any younger. It had outlived its first pilots, outflown their sons and outlasted their grandsons. The technical staff often had to work in three shifts to keep the "Old Ladies" flying fit. Despite the odds, the squadron was able to achieve 100% serviceability and put all aeroplanes in the air on 01 Mar 1984 and again on 18 Mar 1984. All good things come to an end and so it was with the "GOONEY BIRD". A sad and befitting farewell was accorded to this ‘ale yea faithful’ machine on 31 Mar 1985 when the last DAKOTA of the squadron was flown out ceremoniously to mark the end of a golden chapter in the history of the squadron. In the evening of the ‘GOONEY BIRDS" life there can be no more fitting tribute than the words said by a Voice of America spokesmen describing the first space shuttle – "Columbia" is to spacecraft what the "Dakota" was to conventional aviation.

Change is the way of life, a void does not remain long and is soon filled up or replaced. A new machine appeared over the Eastern Skies, more sleek, more powerful, more potential and advanced to perform the predecessor’s task in the same spirit. This machine was AN-32 nicknamed as SUTLUJ. The first batch of three shining new SUTLUJ aircraft arrived on 18 Sep 1984. Once again, the IBEXES put their heads down and got on to the formidable task of evolving operational flying techniques and laying down the procedures to adapt the new machine to its new environment. The squadron became fully operational in a short time and since then has been doing a commendable job in carrying out its allotted task.

In July 1987, the IBEXES swung into action in support of the IPKF in Srilanka. It flew day and night under adverse conditions transporting troops, arms and ammunition, vehicles and provided valuable logistic support.

In Nov 1988, the IBEXES took part in the "Male Operations" again mercenaries. For three days the entire squadron fleet was flying non-stop supporting the Indian Army for their various operational requirements.

Amidst anxiety and excitement arrived 10 Mar 1992, the proudest moment in the history of the IBEXES – the award of the PRESIDENT’S STANDARDS’. At 1030 sharp, after a smart parade, the President of India, Shri R Venkatraman presented colours to the IBEXES. It was a great moment of glory and pride. The present IBEXES owe a great deal to their predecessors for the hard work and selfless dedication, which culminated into that day glory.

June 1993 saw the squadron busy with para exercise Bramahseersh ex Agra, while the exercise Purvi Akash kept it busy throughout the month of Jan 1994. To commemorate the 50th Anniversary of World War, a flypast was held in Aizwal on 29 Nov 1995 in which 43 squadron was a proud participant. The squadron also maintains a well furnished VIP role modified aircraft on its strength for communication duties. The squadron takes pride in its upkeep and has ensured its availability at all times.

The IBEXES today are a modern transport squadron equipped with one of the finest all weather medium transport aircraft fitted with modern avionics. The IBEXES have the honour to be chosen as the first operational squadron of the IAF to be equipped with the SUTLUJ aircraft. The IBEXES have, therefore, become the torch bearers and have blazed the trail for the rest of the operational squadrons of IFF equipped with the modern aeroplane.

The squadron has earned one Ashoka Chakra, one Shaurya Chakra, one Vir Chakra and 20 Vayu Sena Medals. Thus the history of squadron is a history of growth from strength to strength and service to the nation in both war and peace.