16 Squadron Air Force

Defence Flights India

December 27, 2005

A commemorative postage stamp on the 55^th Anniversary of the No. 16 Squadron Indian Air Force (Black Cobras), a counter-air and interdiction unit of Indian Air Force (IAF) :

Issued by India

Issued on Dec 27, 2005

Issued for : The Department of Posts is happy to honour the 16^th Air Force Squadron by issuing a special postage stamp to commemorate its 55^th Anniversary.

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multicolour

Denomination : 500 Paisa

Printer : India Security Press

About :

16 Squadron Air Force has been in the service of the nation for fifty years. The Squadron has actively participated in all the post independence wars and continues to be one of the mainline strike squadrons of the Indian Air Force.
Initially a flight of Spitfires and later Tempest aircraft, 16 Squadron Air Force, known as “Cobras” was formally formed on 15 September 1954 with Liberator aircraft. At this stage, its role was changed from Bomber to that of Heavy Bomber. In addition, the task of training the Bomber aircrew was also assigned to the squadron.
On 19 November 1957, the squadron was re-equipped with Canberras and the role was re-defined as Light Bomber/Interdictor Squadron. In 1957, the squadron moved to Kalaikunda and formed a part of operational forces of Central Air Command. Towards the end of 1965, the Squadron moved to Gorakhpur. On 10 November 1986, the Squadron was re-equipped with modern aircraft and the role has now been defined as Counter Air and Interdiction.
The Squadron has participated in the various operations such as:–
- Liberation of Goa : After being re-equipped with Canberra aircraft, the Squadron got its first operational assignment during liberation of Goa, and carried out bombing attacks over Dabolim airfield. A few sorties were also mounted in support of operations against Diu.
- Indo-China 1962 : During the Chinese aggression in 1962, the Squadron operated a dett from Kalaikunda.
- Indo-Pak Conflict 1965 : During Indo-Pak conflict in 1965, the squadron was deployed in the Eastern Theatre for Counter Air Operations and carried out a number of successful missions.