Coast Guard Air Squadron 745 was activated at Port Blair on January 5, 1996 with one Dornier aircraft. The squadron continues to keep a regular surveillance of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) around the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Today, after six years of its inception, the squadron operates two Dorniers and a helicopter flight unit. It looks after airborne maritime search-and-rescue in the Andaman region.

Right from her inception, the squadron has been scanning the seas for checking illegal activities and for vessels requiring assistance. It reported a number of activities of poachers from neighbouring countries, leading to an apprehension of 152 Myanmarese, 62 Indonesian and 41 Thai poachers, with 46 vessels, in the last six years.

The Vipers take pride in their role as life savers. There have been many instances when the vigilant Vipers swung into action at the scene of distress, be it day or night. In May 1998, a Naval ship L-34 having an engine trouble at sea, was unsure of her position and was not in contact with anyone. The squadron aircraft searched and located the needy vessel and provided necessary assistance. On June 4, 2000, the Vipers took off in search of MV Spring Breeze which was in distress, south of the Campbell Bay. The Vipers swiftly located the vessel and rescued her crew.

MV Bude Hude caught fire at sea and initiated a distress message. The squadron reacted promptly and saved 15 crew by providing communication link between the distressed vessel and shore-support vessel in December 2000.

In March 2001, the squadron searched and rescued a missing dinghy with six crew when the vessel got marooned at sea off Andaman Islands. The squadron aircrew flew 40 hours for five days in adverse weather conditions to locate the survivors. Shortly following this on March 23, squadron launched the aircraft to assist VLCC MV Front Lord which reported an explosion in engine room, injuring some of the crew.

In October last year, the squadron received a distress call that a fishing boat bound to Hut Bay from Port Blair had not reached the destination. Viper crew immediately took off for the noble mission, searched far and wide and also advised other ships and boats in vicinity to keep a sharp lookout. The Vipers' efforts did not go in vain as the same evening the boat was towed back to safety by some fishermen.

The squadron believes in the spirit of the Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC) and its endeavour has always been to extend its services towards common goals. It has been regularly participating in AMPHEX exercise conducted by ANC, and also in other operations launched from time to time.

While flying an MR sortie last year, the squadron crew located two stationary Thai trawlers. The nearest naval surface unit was vectored for a successful apprehension—a good effort of "jointmanship" under the A&N Command! During operation Khoj-IV, the squadron relocated the poachers who had overpowered policemen and Indian fishermen in Havelock Island with an Indian fishing boat. The Vipers deterred the poachers by making announcement on aircraft loudhailer and vectored CGS Kanaklata Barua to apprehend the poachers onboard the boat. Thus, the squadron did the Coast Guard proud in yet another anti-poaching mission. During the same operation, the vigilant Vipers also located an adrift survival raft off Hut Bay.

Humanity and concern for fellow countrymen go hand in hand and the Vipers strongly believe in it. The Vipers took up the task of running a SAR campaign in October last year to educate fishermen about safety of life at sea and means to contact Coast Guard while in distress. A film was also made to be telecast on national network and local channels. An informative interview was also broadcast on radio. As part of the campaign, the unit personnel also organised a 'powerpoint' presentation to generate awareness among the youth about the functions of Coast Guard, especially its role in search and rescue.