PARACHUTE Training School - Agra - The PARA Training

PARACHUTE Training School - Agra - The PARA Training

HISTORY OF SQUADRON
The history of 'Sky Hawks' spanning over half a century now, dates back to the days of the second world war. In Oct 1941, the 50th Independence Para Brigade was formed with HQ in Delhi and simultaneously Air Landing School was formed at Willingdon (now Safdarjung) Airport, New Delhi. Two Indians were included in the Brigade for initial paratrooping. The first being 2nd Lt (Dr) Rangarajan and the second Havaldar Hukum Singh.

In 1942 the Air Landing School was rechristened as No 3 PTS, AF and moved to Chaklala (Rawalpindi) now in Pakistan. Between 1942 and 1947 No 3 PTS had a number of RAF officers and NCO instructors. Several Indian and Gorkha instructors were also employed.
In 1944 Dakota aircraft in addition to the Valencia Hudson Wellington and Helifax aircraft were also used in paratrooping.
In 1947, the Partition of India led to the Indian element of 12 PJIs along with twelve along with thirty eight under training PJIs under Sqn Ldr TS Gopalan to move to Agra. PTS in its present location came into being and training continued.

SQUADRON OPERATIONS

The squadron took part in various operational assignments as well and when it was called upon to do so. Some important assignments were:
● Indo-Pak Conflict 1965 ~ PTS carried out support missions, flying and supplying AD guns to Jamnagar and Jodhpur
● 1971 Conflict ~ Sqn operated from Phaphamu Airfield and carried out training of pilots for day and night formation. PTS took part in the airborne assault of Tangail in Bangladesh on 11 Dec 1971
● Siachen ~ The unit was called upon to undertake supply drop missions to Siachen Glacier. PTS continued supply drops till the end of 1986.
● Sri Lanka ~ On 04 Jun 1987 the unit had the privilege of executing relief supply drops during the siege of Jaffna. Over twenty three tones were dropped over a drop zone next to Jaffna
● Operation Pawan (IPKF Ops) ~ The unit took an active part in Operation Pawan maintaining two to five aircraft detachments at Bangalore, Sulur and Tambram. PTS operated at seven different bases of Srilanka to airlift IPKF jawans.
● Operation Cactus (Maldives) ~ On the night of 03 Nov 89, this unit alongth the rest of the fleet was to mobilise troops for Op Cactus. This unit launched eight aircraft with troops for Op Cactus. This launched eight aircraft with troops to Male. A total of forty sorties were flown for the induction of troops.
● PTS has indeed come a long way from its humble beginnings. In recognition of exemplary service, the squadron was awarded the President's Standard by the President of India, Dr Shankar Dayal Sharma on the occasion of its Golden Jubilee in Nov 1994.