1. Year 1942 saw the inception of the Army Aviation wing of the RAF in India and the first Indian Air Observation Post flight was raised in August 1947. The Air Observation Post remained a small and elite arm throughout the 1950s and on the eve of the 1965 war, the Air Observation Post comprised of only one Squadron and four Flights. The Indo- Pak Wars of 1965 and 1971 were fields and skies of glory for this small band of the winged warriors and aviators who made a name for themselves with their innumerable acts of valour and gallantry in the skies. While the Chetaks were inducted in the Army in March 1969, the first of the Cheetas were inducted in 1971.

2. The Army Aviation Corps came into being on November 1, 1986, and was immediately inducted into "Operation Pawan" which was a crucial test for the newly formed Corps. In more ways than one, it was truly Army Aviation’s baptism by fire and they responded with pride and elan. With the Chetak helicopters taking on the logistic tasks, the Cheetahs christened as Ranjits, operated aggressively mounted with their medium machine guns.

3. The Siachen Glacier has been the final frontier for the Army Aviation Corps. Routinely operating at 20,000 feet and above on the extreme fringes of its flight envelope, the Cheetah helicopter has been carrying out yeoman service as the workhorse of the glacier. The Army Aviation Corps has singularly been responsible for saving hundreds of lives, besides providing life-sustaining logistic support while operating constantly at super high altitudes; a feat unparalleled by any other Avn Corps in the world.

4. Operation Vijay was Army Aviation's finest hour when so much was rested on the wings of a motley group of a few good men. Their professionalism, grit, courage and tactical skills and sterling performance was recognised with two Squadrons receiving the Chief of Army Staff's Unit Citations, two Vir Chakras and innumerable other gallantry awards.

5. Honours and Awards: For the deeds of valour, the pilots and men of Army Avn have earned themselves a place in the coveted gallery of honours and awards as under:-

(a) Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM) : 07
(b) Maha Vir Chakra (MVC): 02
(c) Uttam Yudh Seva Medal (UYSM): 03
(d) Vir Chakra (VrC): 16
(e) Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM): 11
(f) Shaurya Chakra (SC): 13
(g) Yudh Seva Medal (YSM): 08
(h) Sena Medal (SM (Gallantry & Distinguished): 90
(j) Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM): 28
(k) Vayu Sena Medal: 09
(l) Mentioned-In-Dispatches: 56

6. On having completed 25 glorious years on November 1, 2011, the Army Aviation Corps is riding the crest of the Revolution in Military Affairs. Without doubt this is the arm of the future - one whose potential is now only being realised and exploited.