Air HQ Communication Squadron Indian Air Force

2022-05-04T06:40:34Z

103.118.113.10:

{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name = Air HQ Communication Squadron
| image =
| caption =
| dates = 1 November 1947–present
| country = {{flagicon|India}} [[India]]
| branch = {{air force|India}}
| type =
| role = VVIP transport Special Air Missions Airlift
| size =
| command_structure =
| garrison = [[Palam Air Force Station|Palam AFS]], [[New Delhi]]
| garrison_label =
| nickname = "Pegasus"
| patron =
| motto = ''Seva aur Suraksha'' Service and Security
| colors =
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| mascot =
| equipment =
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| battles =
| anniversaries =
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| commander1 = Group Captain Saurav Shiv
| commander2 =
| commander2_label =
| commander3 =
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| notable_commanders = ''First:'' Squadron Leader Melville Duarte (01 Nov 1947 – 22 Sep 1948)
| identification_symbol =
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| identification_symbol_2 =
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| aircraft_attack =
| aircraft_bomber =
| aircraft_electronic =
| aircraft_fighter =
| aircraft_recon =
| aircraft_trainer =
| aircraft_transport = 2 [[Boeing 777-300ER]] 3 [[Boeing 737]] [[BBJ]] 4 [[Embraer 145]] 4 [[Embraer Legacy 600|Embraer 135BJ]] 5 [[Mi-17|Mi-17 V-5]] helicopters
}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2015}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2015}}
The '''Air Headquarters Communication Squadron ''(Pegasus)''''' '''(AHQCS)''' of the [[Indian Air Force]] is based at Air Force Station [[Indira Gandhi International Airport#History|Palam]], New Delhi<ref name="BRakshak">{{cite web|title=Squadrons and Helicopter Units|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Units/Squadrons/292-Squadrons.html|publisher=Bharat Rakshak|access-date=4 December 2015}}</ref> It is a transport squadron which maintains a fleet of aircraft with the primary aim of providing air transport to the President, Vice President and Prime Minister of India, within and outside the country, and to visiting foreign heads of State, categorized as [[Very important person|VVIPs]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=AirHQ Communications Squadron, Indian Air Force - Database|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Database/Units/AHQ%20Comm%20Sqn|access-date=2021-09-24|website=Bharat Rakshak|language=en-gb}}</ref>

==Components==
The squadron is commanded by an officer of the rank of [[Group Captain]], who is also responsible for operation of VIP aircraft and their maintenance. It operates under the functional and administrative control of the Directorate of Operations (VIP) at Air Force Headquarters through 3 Wing AF at Palam.<ref name=":0">Audit of Air HQ Communication Squadron, Comptroller and Auditor General of India report, 2006</ref>

The [[Ministry of Defence (India)|Ministry of Defence]] regulates the special flights and stipulates as per relevant orders that, with the exception of the President, Vice President and Prime Minister, certain 'other entitled persons' (OEP) can also avail special flights. This includes and is limited to: [[Minister of Defence (India)|Minister of Defence]], [[Minister of Home Affairs (India)|Minister of Home Affairs]], Minister of State in the Ministry of Defence, Chiefs of the three Defence Services, [[Defence Secretary (India)|Defence Secretary]], other Cabinet Ministers, Senior Service and Civilian Officers who are connected with Defence Organisation and [[Cabinet Secretary (India)|Cabinet Secretary]].<ref name=":0" />

==History==
{{expand section|date=September 2021}}Due to the requirement of conveying VIPs in pre-Independence India, a small unit was formed in January 1947 under Wing Commander Bryant Fenner of the Royal Indian Air Force (RIAF) called Communication Squadron (India). This unit came under the command of Squadron Leader Melville Duarte on 1 November 1947 as Air Headquarters Communication Squadron (RIAF) and has been based at Air Force Station Palam ever since. It retained its name after India became a republic on 26 January 1950.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Air HQ Communication Squadron|url=https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/sqn-air-hq-comm.htm|access-date=2021-09-24|website=www.globalsecurity.org}}</ref>

The squadron began operations with war-surplus [[Airspeed Oxford]] and [[Douglas C-47 Skytrain]] (Dakota) aircraft.<ref name="VIP_squadron">{{cite web|title=VIP Squadron of Air Force Celebrates 33rd Anniversary|url=https://archive.pib.gov.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1980-JULY-DEC-MIN-OF-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1980-11-17_168.pdf|website=Press Information Bureau of India - Archive|date=17 November 1980|access-date=21 November 2020}}</ref> It acquired the [[de Havilland Dove|DeHavilland Dove]] the following year.<ref name="squadron">{{cite web|title=Air Headquarters Communication Squadron|url=https://archive.pib.gov.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/FEATURE/1984-FEATURES/PDF/FEA-1984-12-07_178.pdf|website=Press Information Bureau of India - Archive|date=7 December 1984|access-date=21 November 2020}}</ref> The first [[turboprop]] aircraft, two [[Vickers Viscount]], were inducted in 1956, but were withdrawn from service and sold in 1967.<ref>{{cite book |last=Turner |first=P. St. John |date=1968 |title=Handbook of the Vickers Viscount |location=London |publisher=[[Ian Allan Publishing]] |page=149 |isbn=978-0711000520}}</ref> During his premiership, Prime Minister [[Jawaharlal Nehru]] and his family occasionally flew in a VIP Dakota, IJ-817-S, from which his ashes were scattered in the Vale of Kashmir following his death in May 1964.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Late Prime Minister Nehru's Ashes Scattered from the Air|url=https://archive.pib.gov.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/COMMUNICATION/1964-JAN-DEC-COMMUNICATIONS/COM-1964-06-12_038.pdf|website=Press Information Bureau of India - Archive|date=12 June 1964|access-date=21 November 2020}}</ref>

In 1964, the squadron acquired the [[Hawker Siddeley HS 748]] (Avro), followed by the induction of three VIP variants of the [[Tupolev Tu-124]] in 1966.<ref name="VIP_squadron" /> On 4 November 1977, one of the three TU-124 aircraft (V-643), carrying Prime Minister [[Morarji Desai]] and other officials from Delhi to Jorhat, struck trees during its landing approach and crashed with the loss of the crew, though the Prime Minister and the other passengers survived. A subsequent court of inquiry attributed the cause of the accident to a combination of [[spatial disorientation]] and pilot error, with the possible failure of a radio-altimeter as a factor.<ref>{{cite web|title=Regarding the Air Accident at Jorhat on 4 November 1977 to TU-124 Aircraft Carrying the Prime Minister|url=https://archive.pib.gov.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1978-APR-AUG-MIN-OF-DEFENCE-PART-2/PDF/DEF-1978-05-10_066.pdf|website=Press Information Bureau of India - Archive|date=10 May 1978|access-date=21 November 2020}}</ref> The last of the three TU-124s, ''Rajdoot'', was retired on 13 November 1981, having been replaced by the [[Boeing 737]]-200 in October 1980.<ref>{{cite web|title=Last of the TU-124 Fleet Bows Out of Indian Air Force|url=https://archive.pib.gov.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1981-MIN-OF-DEFENCE-JULY-DEC/PDF/DEF-1981-11-13_179.pdf|website=Press Information Bureau of India - Archive|date=13 November 1981|access-date=21 November 2020}}</ref>

==Fleet==
'''Boeing 777-300ER ''(Air India One)'''''

In October 2020, two fully customized Boeing 777-300ER aircraft were inducted into the squadron at a cost of ₹8,458 Crore.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-10-01|title=Air India One: What is so special about PM Narendra Modi's new VVIP Hightech aircraft|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-air-india-one-what-is-so-special-about-prime-minister-narendra-modi-s-new-vvip-hightech-aircraft-2846689|access-date=2021-09-26|website=DNA India|language=en}}</ref> Prior to this, two [[Air India]] operated Boeing 747-400s were being used for VVIP overseas transport.<ref>{{Cite web|date=October 2, 2020|first=Sulabha|last=Torkham|title=How India's VVIP aircraft Air India One is different from its predecessor Boeing 747|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/how-vvip-aircraft-air-india-one-is-different-from-boeing-747-temp-1727544-2020-10-02|access-date=2021-09-24|website=India Today|language=en}}</ref> The two ex- Air India 777 aircraft underwent major modifications at Boeing's facility in Fort Worth, Texas, where they were fitted with missile defence and communications systems requisite of aircraft conveying Heads of State and Heads of Government.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-10-25|title=Air India One: Second VVIP aircraft in Prime Minister and President's fleet arrives in Delhi|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/air-india-one-second-vvip-aircraft-in-prime-minister-and-president-s-fleet-arrives-in-delhi/story-r17Uf6zsn24XkWTnZRG2vN.html|access-date=2021-09-24|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref>

Each aircraft features a VVIP suite, two conference rooms, a press briefing room, a medical room and secure communications system, with jammers.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Poulomi|last=Saha|title=Exclusive: Inside Boeing's Air India One bought for VVIPs, including PM, President|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/air-india-one-second-vvip-aircraft-in-prime-minister-and-president-s-fleet-arrives-in-delhi/story-r17Uf6zsn24XkWTnZRG2vN.html|url-status=live|access-date=2021-09-24|website=India Today|date=25 October 2020|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029202405/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/air-india-one-second-vvip-aircraft-in-prime-minister-and-president-s-fleet-arrives-in-delhi/story-r17Uf6zsn24XkWTnZRG2vN.html |archive-date=29 October 2020 }}</ref>

The new aircraft was utilized for the first time on 26 March 2021 during the Indian Prime Minister's visit to Dhaka, Bangladesh.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bangladesh visit PM uses new VVIP aircraft for 1st time on foreign trip|url=https://www.theweek.in/wire-updates/national/2021/03/26/del16-avi-vvip-aircraft-pm.html|access-date=2021-09-24|website=The Week|language=en}}</ref>

Aircraft operating VVIP flights are designated Special Extra Section Flight (SESF).<ref name="aninews.in">{{Cite web|title=Contingents of Air India, IAF, govt officials and security personnel leave for US to collect VVIP aircraft 'Air India One'|url=https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/contingents-of-air-india-iaf-govt-officials-and-security-personnel-leave-for-us-to-collect-vvip-aircraft-air-india-one20200814180112/|access-date=2021-09-24|website=ANI News|language=en}}</ref> On SESF missions, the President is designated as ''VIP-1'', the Vice President as ''VIP-2'', and the Prime Minister as ''VIP-3''. On official mission with any of three VIPs on board, the aircraft are designated the [[Call sign|callsign]] ''Air India One.''

While Union Ministers and senior staff officers of the Indian Armed Forces may use smaller aircraft for official travel, the B777-300ER's are exclusively used by the President, Vice President and Prime Minister.

Passengers traveling on board ''Air India One'' are required to wear colour-coded identity cards at all times. Members of the official delegation (rank of [[Joint Secretary to the Government of India]] and above) are tagged in purple and sit in first class equivalent seats. Personnel of the [[Special Protection Group]]<nowiki/>are also tagged in purple since they provide proximate security to the Prime Minister, and may carry close combat weapons for the duration of flights. Accompanying officials (passengers of rank below Joint Secretary) are tagged in pink, and sit in business class equivalent seats. Support staff, including cooks and butlers, and other security personnel (not including the [[Special Protection Group]]) are tagged in red, while journalists in the press pool are tagged in yellow. Both red and yellow-tagged passengers sit in economy class equivalent seats.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Nayyar|first1=Dhiraj|date=26 September 2010|title=Air India One, Seat No 59G - Indian Express|work=Indian Express|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/air-india-one-seat-no-59g/687970/0|access-date=4 October 2020}}</ref>

The B777-300ER's onboard electronics include about 238 miles of wiring (twice the amount found in a normal 777). Heavy shielding is tough enough to protect the wiring and crucial electronics from the [[electromagnetic pulse]] associated with a nuclear blast.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Know about Air India One! (Air Air India One – AI 1)|url=https://aviationthrust.com/know-about-air-india-one-air-india-1-ai-1/|access-date=19 November 2015|website=Aviation Thrust}}</ref> The aircraft are fitted with encrypted satellite communication facilities and advanced navigation aids, an advanced missile warning system, a missile deflecting shield and electronic countermeasures so as to provide protection from any ground-based or airborne threats.

The B777-300ERs are military vessels formally owned by the Indian Air Force. They bear no Air India markings and will not have commercial dual-use. However, under a special contract, their maintenance will be carried out by Air India Engineering Services Limited (AIESL),<ref name="aninews.in"/> which has experience in maintaining the Boeing 777 series aircraft for Air India's commercial fleet.

'''Boeing 737'''

In 2009, three customized 46 seater [[Boeing Business Jet]]s (BBJ) (737-7HI) with advanced defensive features similar to the U.S. [[Boeing VC-25|Air Force One]] replaced the former ageing Boeing 737-200 aircraft.<ref>{{cite news|last=Krishnaswamy|first=Murali N.|date=24 March 2011|title=A command post in the air|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/the-india-cables/A-command-post-in-the-air/article14959698.ece|access-date=21 November 2020}}</ref> The three BBJs, named ''Rajdoot'', ''Rajhans'' and ''Rajkamal'' were procured at a cost of ₹9.34 billion (US$130 million) each - ₹7.34 billion (US$100 million) for the actual aircraft plus an additional ₹2 billion (US$28 million) for Self Protection Suites. These suites include radar warning receivers, missile-approach warning and counter-measure systems. The aircraft has the capability to shoot [[Chaff (countermeasure)|chaff]] and [[Flare (countermeasure)|flares]] to deviate [[Air-to-air missile#Radar guidance|radar-guided]] and [[Infrared homing|heat-seeking missiles]] off their target path. Other security instruments on board the aircraft are classified.

The BBJs have a four class configuration. For VIPs 1, 2 and 3, an executive enclosure in the aircraft includes an office and a bedroom.

'''Embraer 145 and Legacy 600'''

From 21 September 2005, four 14 seater [[Embraer Legacy 600]] and four 20 seater Embraer 145 aircraft<ref name="tfe20053">{{cite news|date=21 September 2005|title=VVIPs get their special jets|url=http://www.financialexpress.com/news/vvips-get-their-special-jets/146415/1|access-date=8 April 2011}}</ref> were inducted into the squadron to replace the HS-748 Avro transports.<ref>{{cite news|last=Pandey|first=B.K.|date=2020|title=15 years' legacy with the IAF|work=SP's Aviation|url=http://www.sps-aviation.com/story/?id=2763&h=15-Years-legacy-with-the-IAF|access-date=21 November 2020}}</ref> Each Embraer 135 is equipped with missile-deflecting systems, modern flight management systems including global positioning system configuration, as well as category II instrument landing system. These aircraft cost the IAF ₹1.4 billion (US$20 million) each.

'''Mil Mi-17 V-5'''

The [[Mil Mi-17|Mil Mi-17 V-5]] is currently used to ferry VVIPs and OEPs within the country. The old and ageing Mi-8 helicopters were retired in 2017<ref>{{Cite web|title=Aircraft Fleet Strength|url=https://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/units/others/281-fleet.html|access-date=2021-09-25|website=www.bharat-rakshak.com|language=en-gb}}</ref> and replaced with the newer, more advanced Mi-17 V-5 helicopters.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Mi-17V-5 Military Transport Helicopter|url=https://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/mi-17v-5-military-transport-helicopter/|access-date=2021-09-25|website=www.airforce-technology.com|language=en-GB}}</ref>

In February 2010, the UPA-led government had signed a contract worth €556 million for 12 new [[AgustaWestland AW101|AgustaWestland AW-101]] helicopters for VVIP transport. This deal was scrapped by the NDA-led government in January 2014, on allegations of bribery.<ref name="Pandit">{{Cite news|last=Pandit|first=Rajat|title=Choppergate effect: Upgraded Mi-17 V5s to ferry President, Prime Minister|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/choppergate-effect-upgraded-mi-17-v5s-to-ferry-president-prime-minister/articleshow/44578143.cms|access-date=2021-09-25}}</ref> In 2014, approval was given by the Ministry of Defence for the "conversion" of six [military] Mi-17 V-5s to VVIP helicopters, to replace the old Mi-8s. The conversion was carried out at the IAF base repair depot (3 BRD), Chandigarh.<ref name="Pandit"/>

On 8 December 2021, a Mi-17 V-5 was lost in an incident in the [[Nilgiri Mountains|Nilgiri hills]] in Tamil Nadu. The helicopter carrying [[Chief of Defence Staff (India)|Chief of Defence Staff]] [[Bipin Rawat|General Bipin Rawat]], his wife and other military personnel [[2021 Indian Air Force Mil Mi-17 crash|crashed]] near [[Coonoor]] while flying from [[Sulur Air Force Station]], [[Coimbatore]] to [[Wellington, Tamil Nadu|Wellington]] where the CDS was scheduled to visit the [[Defence Services Staff College]]. General Rawat, his wife and all except one of the 14 personnel on board the helicopter were killed.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2021-12-09|title=Bipin Rawat: Tributes for India's top general who died in helicopter crash|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-59576082|access-date=2021-12-09}}</ref> A week later, one of the pilots, the lone survivor of the crash, succumbed to his injuries in hospital.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ranjan|first=Abhinav|date=2021-12-15|title=Group Captain Varun Singh, lone survivor of IAF's helicopter crash in Tamil Nadu, succumbs to injuries|url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/group-captain-varun-singh-lone-survivor-of-iaf-helicopter-crash-in-tamil-nadu-dead-749675|access-date=2021-12-15|website=www.indiatvnews.com|language=en}}</ref>

<gallery mode="packed" widths="500" heights="200" perrow="1">
File:Air India One Chennai.png|IAF Boeing 777-300ER Special Extra Section Flight
File:Air India One 737.jpg|IAF Boeing 737 BBJ ''<nowiki/>'Rajhans'''
File:Gagandoot IAF bird ERJ-135 K3604 (24647428233).jpg|IAF Embraer Legacy 600 (Embraer 135BJ) ''<nowiki/>'Gagandoot'''
File:IAF Mi 17 V5 at Aero India 2013.JPG|IAF Mil Mi-17 helicopter (combat version)
</gallery>

== Historical fleet ==

* [[Airspeed Oxford]] (1947–48)
* [[North American T-6 Texan variants|North American Harvard]] (''variant of the'' [[North American T-6 Texan]]) (1947–68)
* [[Douglas DC-3]] (1948–67)
* [[De Havilland Devon]] (1948–78)
* [[Ilyushin Il-14]] (1955–67)
* [[Vickers Viscount]] (1956–62)
* [[De Havilland Vampire]] (1956–62)
* [[Hawker Siddeley HS 748|Hawker Siddeley HS-748]] ''Avro'' (1964-2005)
* [[Tupolev Tu-124]] (1966–81)
* [[Boeing 737-200]] (1983-2009)
*[[Mil Mi-8]] (1983-2017)

<gallery mode="packed" widths="200">
File:IJ-817 Indian Air Force DC-3 Dakota at BAF Museum. (23332524644).jpg|IAF Douglas DC-3 ''Dakota''
File:KN397 DC3 Indian air force Historic Flight CVT 31-05-2017 (34813506940).jpg|Indian Air Force Historic Flight Douglas DC-3 ''Dakota''
File:ID606 De Havilland Vampire NF.54 Indian Air Force (8447284877).jpg|IAF DeHavilland Vampire
File:Indian Air Force Hindustan HAL-748 Srs2M-LFD Vyas-1.jpg|IAF Hawker Siddeley HS-748 ''Avro''
File:V644 Tupolev Tu.124 Indian Air Force (8447281393).jpg|IAF Tupolev Tu-124
File:Boeing 737-2A8-Adv, India - Air Force AN1165786.jpg|IAF Boeing 737-200 ''<nowiki/>'Rajdoot'''
File:IAF Mi 8 for VIP Transport at Aero India 2013.JPG|IAF Mil Mi-8 helicopter
</gallery>

== See also ==

* [[Air India One]]
* [[89th Airlift Wing]] - United States Air Force

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Indian Air Force}}

[[Category:Indian Air Force aircraft squadrons]]

IndianPedia - User contributions [en]

Air HQ Communication Squadron Indian Air Force