Ahmedabad: The Indian Air Force’s 18 Squadron, famously known as the ‘Flying Bullets’, celebrated its Diamond Jubilee on December 5, 2025, at Air Force Station Naliya. Founded on April 15, 1965, in Ambala, the Squadron boasts a remarkable operational heritage, having flown aircraft like the Gnat, Ajeet, and MiG-27 ML. Today, it proudly operates the indigenous Tejas Mk1 (FOC) fighter aircraft.
18 Squadron earned the iconic title ‘Defenders of the Valley’ for its extraordinary bravery during the 1971 Indo-Pak War, when it successfully defended Srinagar from enemy air attacks. In this battle, Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon displayed unparalleled courage and made the supreme sacrifice, for which he was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra (PVC). This honour makes 18 Squadron the only PVC-awarded Squadron in the history of the Indian Air Force.
As part of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations, a commemorative seminar was held at Air Force Station Naliya, followed by spectacular aerial displays by the Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team (SKAT) and the Akashganga Skydiving Team. The milestone event was graced by senior veterans and serving officers, including Air Marshal J. Chauhan (Retd), the senior-most veteran present, and Air Vice Marshal Subramanian Krishanan, the senior-most serving officer. To mark the occasion, a Special Cover and a Squadron History Book were released, celebrating six decades of exemplary service, valour, and dedication by the Flying Bullets.
