No. 155 Helicopter Unit, IAF

No. 155 Helicopter Unit
Active	14 January 2011 - Present
Country	Republic of India
Branch	Indian Air Force
Garrison/HQ	Suratgarh AFS
Nickname(s)	Kirpans
Motto(s)	Sarvottam Seva Sarvarthe Committed to Excellence
Commanders
Current commander	Wg Cdr Arvind Repswal
Aircraft flown
Attack	Mil Mi-17V5

No. 155 Helicopter Unit is a helicopter unit equipped with Mil Mi-17V5. It is based at Suratgarh Air Force Station.

History

The unit 155 HU of Indian Air Force was the first unit to be inducted with the state of the art Medium Lift Multi-role Helicopters of the Russian Origin, the Mighty Mi17V5s. The unit was raised in AFS Bhisiana, Bathinda in the year 2011 and later shifted to AFS Suratgarh in the year 2013.

Since its inception 155 HU has been at the forefront of military operations throughout the western border, air maintenance in the Uttar Bharat Hills region, joint exercises with Indian Army and Armies of foreign nations as well as countless Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Operations in its Area Of Responsibility.

Assignments

One of the most important tasks of the unit is the flag trooping at Republic Day and Air Force Day in the national capital as well as wherever the Indian Govt deems it necessary. The close coordination between the helicopters flying at such low heights and at low speeds maintaining a tight Inverted Wine Glass Formation dodging the birds and other hazards at low speeds in reduced visibility conditions has always been a proud moment for this unit.

Joint exercises with friendly foreign nation Armies like the US Army, Afghan Army etc. has proved to be instrumental in building up of tactics and coordination between various elements of the war.

Aircraft

• Mil Mi-17V5