Golden Arrows: No 17 Squadron Indian Air Force

Number 17 Squadron shines

even in lands across the frontlines.

As part of the glorious Indian Air Force,

it has been a dependable workhorse.

It was raised In Ambala, in 1951,

under the first October Sun.

A small office with a fence picket,

first CO was Flt Lt DL Springett.

They flew initially Harward II B’s,

now flying Rafales with equal ease.

They touched  the skies with Mig-21s

reaping glory with battle drums.

Always known as ‘Golden Arrows’,

a gentle falcon among sparrows.

A fighting force so lethal,

a bunch of the bravest people.

The callsigns are of the Greek gods,

help missions against all odds.

The glory of the squadron flies high,

drawing serendipity that never dies.

COs BS Dhanoa and SK Kaul

have both played legendary roles.

Both rose to Air Chief Marshal,

Both were fearless and impartial.

Tony led in Kargil from the front

bearing battle’s full-bore brunt

His leadership was exemplary

filling squadron’s prize gallery.

Chacha Chou and Dhaliwal

flew big missions assuming small,

All pilots, technical officers and airmen

were seen working in the blast pens.

The effort was big and the action joint,

this has always been a strong point.

And this poet too if you could follow,

his callsign was the Sun god ‘Apollo’.