The thunderous roar of MiG-21 engines will resonate through Chandigarh’s skies one final time this Friday as Air Chief Marshal A P Singh takes command of the legendary aircraft’s concluding operational flight. Under the call sign “Badal 3,” the service chief will personally pilot the final sortie of No. 23 Squadron, marking the conclusion of an extraordinary chapter that began over sixty years ago in the same city. This symbolic farewell holds significant historical value, as Chandigarh was the site of both the start and end of the MiG-21’s remarkable journey with the Indian Air Force.
Wing Commander Dilbagh Singh, who later became Air Chief Marshal, led the inaugural MiG-21 Squadron-28 from this very location in March 1963, establishing the unit that would earn the title “The First Supersonics.” The ceremony on Friday will feature six MiG-21 aircraft from No. 23 Squadron participating in the final flyover demonstration, with Squadron Leader Priya Sharma among the distinguished pilots involved in this historic occasion. The aircraft will receive a traditional water cannon salute upon landing, signifying their transition from active service to aviation history.
A comprehensive rehearsal held on Wednesday showcased the full ceremonial program planned for the retirement event, including spectacular performances by the Suryakiran aerobatics team, breathtaking Akashganga skydiving displays, simulated combat raids by Jaguar fighter aircraft, and pursuit demonstrations by the retiring MiG-21s of the Panthers squadron. The ceremony will be attended by notable figures in aviation, including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, current service chiefs, and six former Indian Air Force commanders. The gathering of former chiefs includes Air Chief Marshals S Krishnaswamy, A Y Tipnis, S P Tyagi, P V Naik, B S Dhanoa, and R K S Bhadauria, representing decades of leadership continuity.
The MiG-21’s introduction to Indian aviation began when seven carefully selected officers traveled to Russia for specialized training on the advanced supersonic fighter. This pioneering group included Wing Commander Dilbagh Singh alongside Squadron Leaders MSD Wollen and S K Mehra, plus Flight Lieutenants A K Mukherjee, H S Gill, A K Sen, Denzil Keelor, and B D Jayal, although Keelor could not complete the program due to medical issues. Squadron Leader Wollen later took command of the unit and led it through intense combat operations during the 1965 India-Pakistan conflict, showcasing the aircraft’s capabilities in actual warfare.
However, the MiG-21’s service history was marked by both triumph and tragedy, beginning with a devastating mid-air collision near Chandigarh in December 1963 that resulted in the deaths of Wollen and Mukherjee during Republic Day parade preparations. The first batch of six MiG-21 aircraft arrived in Chandigarh in April 1963, having been transported from the No. 2 Equipment Depot in Mumbai via Agra. These pioneering aircraft were meticulously assembled by Soviet engineering teams from shipped components and underwent rigorous testing by Russian pilots prior to entering Indian service. The original MiG-21 F-13 variants represented cutting-edge aviation technology for their time, introducing supersonic capabilities to Indian military aviation. The No.
28 Squadron rightfully earned its “First Supersonics” designation through this technological milestone and continues to operate under that proud heritage today, now equipped with modern MiG-29 aircraft from their Adampur base in Punjab. Over the decades, the MiG-21 platform evolved through numerous variants and upgrades, serving as the backbone of Indian air defense capabilities. Despite its distinguished service record, the aircraft developed an unfortunate reputation due to multiple crashes that led to hundreds of pilot fatalities, eventually earning the grim nickname “The Flying Coffin” within aviation circles. The retirement ceremony signifies more than just the end of an aircraft’s operational life; it symbolizes the Indian Air Force’s evolution towards modern multi-role fighters and advanced combat systems.
The MiG-21’s six-decade tenure encompasses everything from the early supersonic age to contemporary precision warfare capabilities, reflecting the dramatic transformation of military aviation technology. As Air Chief Marshal Singh prepares for his historic final flight, the ceremony will honor not only the aircraft’s technical achievements but also commemorate the countless airmen who served with distinction aboard these remarkable machines. The water cannon salute awaiting the returning aircraft will serve as a fitting tribute to both the MiG-21’s legacy and the generations of pilots who mastered its capabilities in service of national defense.