New Delhi:
Indian Air Force bid farewell to mighty MiG-27 with a scintillating ceremony at Jodhpur base on Friday. The backbone of ground attack fleet, MiG-27 has served the Indian Air Force for over three decades. The combat jets played a crucial role during the Kargil War of 1999. Inducted in 1985, MiG-27 has been the mainstay of IAF's ground attack capability. It has participated in all major IAF operations. Air Marshal SK Ghotia VSM, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief South Western Air Command presided over the wind down ceremony.
Here's the glimpse of grand ceremony of #MiG27 farewell in Jodhpur @IAF_MCC #Bahadur #MiG27
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At present, Number 29 Squadron is the only unit in the Indian Air Force which has been operating MiG 27 Upgrades. Number 29 Squadron was raised on 10 March 1958 at Air Force Station Halwara with Ouragan (Toofani) aircraft. Over the years, the Squadron has been equipped with numerous types of fighter aircraft such as MiG 21 Type 77, MiG 21 Type 96, MiG 27 ML and MiG 27 Upgrade. The Squadron is now slated to be number plated on 31 Mar 2020 with 27 December 19 being its last flying day thereby making the swing wing fleet a part of IAFs glorious past.
Though there has been no official announcement, after decommissioning, most of the planes are either used as souvenirs or returned to the base or depot or even could be given to some other country. Jodhpur had two squadrons of MiG 27, of which one had been decommissioned earlier this year.
