Ambala Air Force station is the oldest airbase of the country. The airbase is of strategic importance and
the history of the Ambala airbase is intertwined with the history of the Indian Air Force.
In 1919, six squadrons of the royal Air Force (RAF) were based in undivided India. The squadrons
were No. 20, 31, 48, 97, 99 and 114 RAF Sqns. Between them, they were responsible for all necessary
air operations in India, particularly along North West Frontier Province. "In September 1919, no. 99
Squadron RAF commenced operation from Camp Ambala. It was later succeeded by No. 114 RAF
Squadron in November 1919. This squadron was later re-numbered as No. 28 RAF Squadron and
continued to operate from Ambala till February 1939," a booklet on the history of Ambala airbase
states.
In 1920, the headquarters of the RAF India Command was established at Ambala and it remained there
till 1922 before it moved to Delhi and Shimla alongside Army Headquarters. " The role of Air Force in
India during the initial years was to control the tribesmen of the North West Frontiers from the air,
alone or in cooperation with the Army. No. 28 Squadron cooperated with the army in putting down
tribal disturbances. In addition, it also made the first aerial photographic survey of Hyderabad," the
booklet states.
The squadrons in India were equipped with Bristol Fighters F2B's or with De Havilland 9A two seat
bomber. Sir John Slessor, Marshal of the Royal Air Force in hos book " The Central Blue" states,
"Both at Prachinar in 1921 and the next year during practice camp from Umballa, it was common
experience to have to borrow a propeller from one flight, a tail skid from another and a wheel from
another to make a single aeroplane in the Squadron fit to take the air."
In the late 1928, the agingH9 a/c and Bristol F2Bs were replaced with West Land Wapiti IIa, while
several Vickers Valentia troop carriers were brought into use as transport and occasional bombers. "In
December 1928, one compulsory innovation imposed on all aircrew was the carriage of parachutes-a
safety device not as universally welcomed by the crews as might have been expected." Station
headquarters was established in Ambala on April 1,1938. A few officers of No. 28 Squadron were
posted to fill in station vacancies. Wg Cdr CF Horsley was the first Commanding Officer of the
Station.
On June 18, 1938, No. 1 Squadron IAF moved to its permanent station at Ambala. While No. 28
Squadron RAF had Audax aircraft, the IAF squadron flew Wapitis. Aircraft of both Squadrons visited
States like Jaipur and Udaipur to cooperate with the state forces. One aircraft of No.1 Squadron, IAF
carried out close support exercise for IMA cadets. "It was customary in those days for fifth term IMA
cadets to visit Ambala station when each cadet was given air experience," the book on Ambala air base
history states.
Flight Lieutenant Subroto Mukherjee took the charge of the Squadron from Squadron Leader CH
Smith on March 16,1939 and becoming the first Indian to command a Squadron and thereafter, a
Station and finally India Air Force.
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