Operation Kilo Flight
Military operation taken by the Mukti Bahini / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Kilo Flight was the code name for the Mukti Bahini combat aviation formation during the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971. It consisted of one DHC-3 Otter plane and one Alouette III helicopter, both carrying rocket pods and machine guns for launching hit-and-run attacks on Pakistani targets, and one DC-3 Dakota for logistical missions. 9 Bengali pilots and 58 ex PAF personnel formed the unit under the command of Group Captain A. K. Khandker in September 1971. The aircraft were supplied by Indian Authorities and the formation was led by Squadron Leader Sultan Mahmud under the operational control of IAF base Jorhat. The unit started training in October 1971 at Dimapur in Nagaland, and this unit was the first to launch airstrikes on Pakistani targets in East Pakistan on December 4, 1971, by attacking oil depots at Narayanganj and Chittagong. In total the unit flew 90 sorties and 40 combat missions between December 4 and 16, 1971. After the war, this unit formed the core of the nascent Bangladesh Air Force.
"Kilo Flight" | |
---|---|
Active | August 1971–March 1972 |
Country | Bangladesh |
Allegiance | Provisional Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh |
Branch | বাংলাদেশ বিমান বাহিনী Bānglādēśh Bimān Bāhinī |
Type | Military aviation |
Role | Hit and Run Raids, Supply runs, Air Rescue |
Part of | Bangladesh Armed Forces |
Nickname(s) | BAF1 |
Anniversaries | Armed Forces Day (November 21) |
Engagements | Bangladesh Liberation War |
Commanders | |
Chief of Air Staff | Group Captain A.K. Khandker BU |
Officer Commanding Kilo Flight | Flight Lieutenant Sultan Mahmud BU |
Insignia | |
Ensign | |
Roundel | |
Fin Flash | |
Aircraft flown | |
Bomber | De Havilland Canada DHC -3 Otter (converted) |
Helicopter | Aerospatiale Alouette III (converted) |
Transport | Dakota |