Hasimara Air ForceStation (ICAO: VEHX)[1] is an Indian Air Force (IAF) base located in Alipurduar district, West Bengal, India. Hasimara is located strategically near the Indo-Bhutan border. It is also the closest Indian air base to the Chumbi Valley - the tri-junction between the Indian state of Sikkim, Bhutan and the Tibet Autonomous Region.
Hasimara Air Force Station | |||||||||||
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| Summary | |||||||||||
| Airport type | Military | ||||||||||
| Operator | Eastern Air Command | ||||||||||
| Serves | Indian Air Force | ||||||||||
| Location | Hasimara, West Bengal | ||||||||||
| Elevation AMSL | 340 ft / 104 m | ||||||||||
| Coordinates | 26°41′53″N 089°22′08″E / 26.69806°N 89.36889°E | ||||||||||
| Map | |||||||||||
  Hasimara AFS  Hasimara AFS | |||||||||||
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| Runways | |||||||||||
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Source: ourairports.com[1] | |||||||||||
History
editThe Hashimara AFS was established in the sub-Himalayan region of West Bengal after the Sino-Indian War of 1962. It has completed 50 years of operational existence in April 2013. The station was activated on April 7, 1963, when an IAF Caribou aircraft landed and dropped off its first Station Commander, Wing Commander DG King-Lee. The decision to establish the air base here was taken after the 1962 war. The airbase took active part in the Indo-Pak conflict of 1965 and the Indo-Pak war in 1971.
It was home to No. 22 Squadron IAF in India.[2]
Facilities
editThe airport is situated at an elevation of 340 ft (104 m) above mean sea level. It has one runway with concrete surfaces: 11R/29L measuring 9,000 by 148 feet (2,743 by 45 m).[3]
Assets
editIn July 2021,the second squadron of Dassault Rafale fighter jets was inducted into No. 101 Squadron IAF at Hasimara.[4][5]
References
edit- ^ a b Hashimara Air Force Station, ourairports.com, retrieved 2 July 2021.
- ^ Two squadrons at Hasimara to receive President’s Standards in Nov end, The Times of India, 12 November 2015.
- ^ "Hasimara Air Force Station". Retrieved 8 January 2022.
- ^ "IAF to deploy Rafale jets in Haryana's Ambala, West Bengal's Hashimara; infrastructure assessment completed at both bases". First Post. 4 January 2019. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
- ^ "Five Rafales inducted into 101 Squadron at Hasimara AFS in West Bengal". The Frontline. 29 July 2021. Retrieved 8 January 2022.