CHETAK/ALLOUETTE

INAS 321 – The Angels

INAS 321, also known as ‘Angels’, was commissioned on 15 Mar 1969, at Goa, by Admiral AK Chatterji, the Chief of the Naval Staff. The squadron operates Chetak Helicopters, a very versatile aircraft, which is being used for Search and Rescue and communication duties. The squadron was later shifted to INS Shikra at Mumbai. It is interesting to note that all Naval Air Stations operate a flight of Chetak helicopters, known as 321 flight of the respective air station. The Angels have undertaken many daring life saving missions both at sea and over land. Chetaks have also been a part of the summer team to Antarctica on numerous occasions, where they have rendered yeoman service in terms of being the only available means of communication to the scientists, both Indian and from other nations.