Air Marshal PR Sharma visits Air Force Station Halwara on Monday.
Jalandhar, August 27, 2013: Air marshal PR Sharma, AOP (Air officer incharge personnel) visited 21 Squadron ‘ANKUSH’ at Air Force Station Halwara Yesterday.
He was accompanied by his wife Nilu Sharma. Air Marshal PR Sharma was commissioned as Fighter Pilot in Indian Air Force on 15 Feb 1975. He is a Qualified Flying Instructor and a Test Pilot with over 3000 hours of flying on most types of fighters, transport and trainer aircraft in service. He has commanded a Fighter Squadron and was chief Operations Officer of a Fighter Base. He was Commandant of the prestigious Aircraft and System Testing Establishment, Bangalore and Air Officer Commanding of a Fighter base. During his 38 years of service he has held various important staff appointments at Air HQ, Strategic Force command and Integrated Defence Staff. The Air Officer is an alumnus of Defence Service Staff College (DSSC) Wellington and Royal College of Defence Studies, London.
21 Squadron of Indian Air Force named as ‘Ankush’ was formed on 16 Oct 65 at Ambala under the command of Wg Cdr ER Fernandes and was equipped with Gnat MKI aircraft. The Squadron also took active part in 1971 war by defending the skies of Barmer sector while operating from Uttarlai in Rajasthan. In 1976, Squadron moved to Pune and re-equipped as the first MIG 21 Sqn. The Squadron has operated from many bases during its long journey of 48 years like Ambala, Gorakhpur, Uttarlai, Pune, Jamnagar, Chandigarh and many other bases.
Air Force Station Halwara witnessed a well synchronised ceremony on this occasion. The Chief guest was received by Air Commodore RGK Kapoor, Air Officer Commanding Air Force Station Halwara. An impressive parade contingent gave guard of honour to the Air Marshal. Later the commanding officer Wing Commander Tahir Shaikh briefed Air Marshal PR Sharma about the Squadron. The Air Marshal, then addressed all air warriors of 21 Squadron for their untiring efforts. The Air Marshal and his wife interacted with the officers and their spouses during social evening organised by the Squadron at the officers mess yesterday, Nilu Sharma met the spouses of Air warriors (sanginis) during Squadron event ‘Bara Khana’ held at the Squadron premise.