Army Covers to commemorate President’s Standard and Colours to 119 Helicopter Unit and 28 Equipment Depot – 4th March 2016.

Air Force Station Jamnagar is one of the oldest and premier air bases of the Indian Air Force. No. 119 Helicopter Unit is a Helicopter Unit and is equipped with Mil Mi-17 V5 and based at Jamnagar Air Force Station. It is one of the premier flying units of the Indian Air Force and also known as "The Stallions". 119 Helicopter Unit was raised in Guwahati in Mar 1972 as ‘Angels of Mercy’ with Mi-8 helicopters. 119 Helicopter Unit was moved to its present location at Air Force Station Jamnagar on 20th May 1990.

The unit has been part of many operations including, the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks; relief and rescue after the 2004 tsunami; Operation Cactus in 1988 to stop the attempted coup in Maldives; Operation Pawan - the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) operation in Sri Lanka's Jaffna in 1987; counter insurgency operations in Nagaland; and Operation Falcon along China's border in Arunachal Pradesh. The recent Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief Operations undertaken by the Unit in Gujarat and Nepal stand testimony to this fact. The commendable performance of the personnel of the Unit during various operations has been recognised and appreciated in the form of gallantry awards.

The 28 Equipment Depot maintains explosive ordnance stores. It was established at Amla, on 24th September 1953. This is the only kind of unit in the Indian Air Force which deals with all facets of air armament stores. The depot is a one stop solution provider for all Russian origin guided weapons and ammunitions, and carried out the maintenance and warranty resting, modification and repairs. The Depot played a significant role in the operations of 1965, 1971 and 1999 by providing huge quantity of explosive stores in serviceable condition to the units engaged in the operations. 28 Equipment Depot has completed 62 glorious years in service of the Nation.

The Honourable President of India and the Supreme Commander of Indian Armed Forces, Shri Pranab Mukherjee awarded the prestigious Presidential Colours to 28 Equipment Depot and Presidential Standard to 119 Helicopter Unit at a ceremonial parade, held at Air Force Station Jamnagar on 4th March 2016. The award of President's colours and standard is one of the greatest honours bestowed upon an Air Force Unit or Squadron in recognition of exceptional service rendered by it to the nation, both during war and in peace.

On this occasion the President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee released two Army Postal Covers to commemorate the prestigious President’s Standard and Colours to 119 Helicopter Unit on its 45th raising day and 28 Equipment Depot, at Air Force Station, Jamnagar on 4th March, 2016 in presence of the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha.