When the first rays of sunlight herald the beginning of a new dawn each day, the valiant pilots of IAF roar into the skies in their magnificent jets from one of the eastern airfields of the country. The thunderous streaking manoeuvres of IAF planes are indeed reassuring sights that help the eastern frontiers of the nation remain secure and infallible. Therefore, the Air Force Base at Chabua in Upper Assam takes pride in being called the ‘Eastern Bastion’.

The airfield at Chabua was in fact a second world war airbase of the Allied Forces. Constructed in 1939, the airfield was extensively used for launching operations against the Japanese and was abandoned after the war. In 1962, in response to the Chinese invasion of Tibet and the subsequent threat it posed to the North-East, the IAF commenced operations from this airfield. Initially Dakotas and Vampires, later Hunters, Otters and Mi-4 helicopters commenced air operations form Chabua air base. In the mid-seventies, subsequent to the runway upgradation and renovation, the supersonic MiG-21 bacame the mainstay fighter aircraft operating from here till date.

This premier air base is being commanded by Gp Capt Anil Chopra. The air base was adjudged the `best operational wing' and `best station for flight safety', in addition to being the `best in MT' among the airbases of Eastern Air Command in the recently concluded EAC Commanders' Conference. The shields were given away by the Chief of Air Staff and the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Air Command.

The operational conversion unit operating with the MiG-21 (FL) fighter at this airbase has the onerous responsibility of training young fighter pilots, thus, enabling a smooth transition to an operational role in the frontline squadrons of IAF. No matter how old the unit is, it would always have young pilots in its fold. The unit calls itself ‘the young ones’.

Formed in October, 1966 with the motto Abhyasen hi Kaushalayam, the unit has a glorious and chequered history since its establishment. Seven Vir Chakra, a Vayu Sena Medal and five Mention-in-Despatches won by the unit is a testimony to the gallantry of the unit. More recently, the unit has been declared as the `best fighter squadron' of EAC for the current year.