The Swifts commemorate golden jubilee celebrations

Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], November 25 (ANI): A two-day seminar on 'Air Offensive for Liberation of Bangladesh: 1971' was conducted at Air Force Station Hasimara to commemorate 50 years of inception of the mission undertaken by the No. 22 Squadron of Indian Air Force (IAF) into the erstwhile East Pakistan out of Dum Dum in 1971.

Twenty-two Squadron was formed on October 15, 1966 at Air Force Station, Bareilly as the eighth Gnat squadron and was named 'Hell's Angels', and later renamed 'The Swifts'.

It is one of the youngest fighter squadrons of IAF. The unit was awarded the President's Standard for its distinguished service to the nation in November 2015.

The two-day event ended here today.

The No. 22 Squadron cut its teeth early when they saw action in 1971 in the Eastern sector.

Operating Gnat airplanes at that time, the Squadron was based at the Kalaikunda in West Bengal and flew missions into the erstwhile East Pakistan out of Dum Dum.

On the momentous occasion, veterans of the Squadron were felicitated.

The Akaash Ganga sky diving team enthralled the spectators with the maneuvering of colourful canopies while arriving to touch down.

The Air Warrior Drill Team carried out immaculate and synchronised drill movements against an impressive backdrop of aircraft on static display.

Many war veterans from the bygone era also turned up to pay tribute to their alma mater.

Most prominent among them being the nonagenarian Air Marshal BS Sikand (Retd), who was the Commanding Officer of the Squadron as a young Wing Commander at that time, among many other notable war veterans.(ANI)