Pranab Mukherjee to award President's Colours to 30 Squadron

President Pranab Mukherjee would award Presidential Colours to 30 Squadron of Air Force and 501 Signals Unit, Barnala on November 10 at a function to be organised at the Air Force station here.
President's Colours is one of the greatest honours bestowed upon an Air Force Unit or Squadron in recognition of exceptional service rendered by it to the nation, both during war and in peace.
Air Marshal S B Deo here today expressed pride over the units being selected for the prestigious honour and applauded them for their services.
He said preparations are underway for the function, adding that after a march past a demonstration would be conducted by aerobatics team of Air Force -- Surya Kiran (SKAT).

A helicopters display would also be made on this occasion, he said.
He said the IAF equipped with latest fighters plain is always ready for any challenge that come in the way.

He said the wife and the father of Pathankot terror attack martyr Gursewak Singh have also been invited for the event.
The 30 Squadron of the IAF which will get president colour was formed on November 1, 1969 with the legendary MIG-21 FL aircraft at the Air Force Station.
At present the unit is located at Air Force Station, Pune under the control of South Western Air Command, IAF.

The unit is currently operating the 'Sukhoi 30 MKI' fourth generation fighter aircraft under the command of Wing Commander A A Phansalkar.
501 Signals Unit has been entrusted with the responsibility of defending Punjab Sector opposite the western adversary.
The unit is located at Barnala, Punjab under the functional control of HQ Western Air Command being commanded by Group Captain Vineet Jindal.
The unit commenced operations right from its inception in 1966.
In the 1971 Indo-Pak War, the unit proved its mettle by providing uninterrupted surveillance and tactical control over Air Defence weapons in the Punjab sector.