Article Posted on : - Mar 22, 2011

NEW DELHI (PTI): The Indian Navy's only aircraft carrier-based squadron, INAS-310 'COBRA', celebrated its golden jubilee on Monday at its home base in Goa.

"The COBRA has won six Vir Chakras (VrC), six Nao Sena Medals and three mention-in-Despatches for its role in 1971 Indo-Pakistan war. It also participated in Kargil war in 1999 and Operation Parakram in 2002," Navy officials said here.

Raised on March 21, 1961 in France, COBRA flew the French Alizes aircraft on Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) missions, and operated from the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant till May 1987.

With induction of Dornier 228 aircraft in 1991, the squadron transformed itself into a shore-based Maritime Reconnaissance and Electronic Warfare squadron and saw action in 1999 and 2002.

"During the two Operations, the squadron operated from Indian Air Force (IAF) airfields located in the western sector, far away from the seas. The aircrafts were re-painted from white and blue to steel grey to suit the missions," officials added.

Goa Chief Minister Digambar Kamat released a special cover and coffee table on the occasion.