Indian Air Force has resurrected the number plated 17 Squadron—the Golden Arrows, at Air Force Station Ambala. It will be the first Squadron to be equipped with Rafale aircraft. Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa, Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee and Chief of the Air Staff presented a memento to Group Captain Harkirat Singh to commemorate the occasion.
17 Squadron was raised on October 1, 1951 under the Command of Flight Lieutenant DL Springett and equipped with Harvard-II B aircraft. The Squadron converted to Mig-21 M aircraft in 1975. It actively participated in Goa Liberation Campaign in 1961, 1965 operations and the 1971 Indo-Pak War. In November 1988, the Squadron was presented ‘Colours’ by then honourable President of India, Shri R Venkataraman. Under the command of then Wing Commander BS Dhanoa (present Chief of Air Staff), ‘Golden Arrows’ participated actively in Operation ‘Safed Sagar’—Kargil War, in 1999.
