Indian Naval Air Squadron 300

July 7, 2010

Indian Naval Air Squadron 300

A commemorative postage stamp on 50 years of Indian Naval Air Squadron 300 (1960-2010), an Indian naval air squadron based at INS Hansa, an naval air station near Dabolim, Goa :

Issued by India

Issued on Jul 7, 2010

Issued for : India Posts is happy to issue a commemorative postage stamp on INAS-300.

Credits :
Stamp & FDC : Kamaleshwar Singh
Cancellation : Alka Sharma

Type : Stamp, Mint condition

Colour : Multi colour

Denomination : 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 0.8 Million

Printing Process : Wetoffset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About :

In April 1956, the Government of India gave its approval for the creation of Naval Aviation wing for the Indian Navy and acquired an aircraft carrier ex-HMS Hercules, along with two aircraft squadrons of Hawker Seahawk for its air wing. On 07 July 1960, INAS-300 was commissioned with 23 Seahawk Mk 6 aircraft along with aircraft carrier HMS Hercules at the Royal Navy Air Station in Brawdy under the Command of Lt Cdr BR Acharya, sporting on its crest the White Tiger of Rewa.
The aircraft carrier HMS Hercules was later commissioned into the Indian Navy as INS Vikrant. Their role during the 1971 Indo-Pak conflict was very impressive. INS Vikrant, with 18 aircraft White Tiger squadrons deployed in the war, inflicted heavy losses on the enemy and earned name, fame and laurels. INAS-300 won one Maha Vir Chakra, five Vir Chakras, one Nao Sena medal and four Mentions in Despatches.
The dependable war proven Seahawks, after being the mainstay of the Indian Naval air arm, have finally been phased out and disembarked from INS Vikrant for the last time on 08 May 1978 and were replaced with Sea Harriers.
The re-born White Tigers of the Indian Navy were now a totally professional outfit and came out with flying colours during frequent embarkations, joint exercises, Dissimilar Aircraft Combat Training and Air to Air gunnery exercises. In the last few years the Harriers have added a new dimension to their operations with increased multinational exercises in which the Indian Navy participates. These exercises have seen the Harriers facing eye-to-eye with the best in the business. The magnificent carriers and the flying machines of the American, French & British Navies have gone back impressed. Presently, the Sea Harriers are upgraded with evolving technology. The upgraded Sea Harriers christened LUSH (Limited Upgrade Sea Harrier) would certainly add more teeth to and boost the fire-power of INAS-300, being fitted with Beyond Visual Range Missiles.
Always operating with modest equipment and resources, yet coming out with extraordinary results, the White Tigers have built an enviable reputation for themselves and continue to remain at the forefront of Indian Naval Aviation.
Text : Based on the material provided by the proponent.