Air Force Station In India

Ambala Air Force Station

Quick Facts

Airport type	Military
Operator	Indian Air Force
Serves	Ambala Cantonment
Elevation AMSL	900 ft / 275.2 m
Coordinates	30°22′14″N 76°49′4″E

Ambala AFS (Air Force Base) is located in the urban areas of the region. The Air Force Base at Ambala was established in the year 1948 and is mostly used by the government for military purposes. It is among one of the oldest and largest airbases in India. The Ambala Air Force was targeted by the Pakistani Army during the wars which took place in the years 1965 and 1971. In 1965 war the Pakistani Army caused severe damage to the airport and they knocked down more than 20 Indian Aircrafts. Despite of these huge damages the Ambala Airbase is still functioning and it is among those airbases on which the Indian Air Force can always rely upon. In the year 1948 the FIS or Flying Instruction School was also started which was later shifted to Chennai.

History

The glorious history of Indian Air Force is incomplete without the mention of Ambala airbase which holds strategic importance and has served the IAF in many ways. Six squadrons of the RAF or Royal Air Force were stationed in India in the year 1919 when the country was still under British Rule. In 1919 one of the squadrons started military operations from the camp based at Ambala. The Ambala Airbase also became the Royal Air Force headquarters in 1920 but in the year 1922 it shifted to Delhi. Thus the initial stage of Indian Air Force requires special mention of the Ambala AFS, which is one of the landmarks in IAF history. Every air force officer who was ever transferred at Ambala airbase during his service period takes deep pride to acknowledge the magnificence and utility of this airbase.

In the starting years after independence the Indian government could access North East Frontiers regions only through airways and it was during this time that the Ambala Airbase played important role in controlling the tribal disturbances in the North East Frontiers. Not only this in those years it was also made the centre for aerial photographic survey which was a new advancement in this field. The aerial photographic survey later proved to be of great value and today this centre is one of the most advance ones in the field of aerial photography.

In the initial year the Indian Air force were having few aircrafts like De Havilland 9A and Bristol Fighters F2B which employed simple technology. During that time it was a common practice to borrow a wheel from one flight and propeller from the other to make an aircraft operational. Later few more officers were temporarily transferred to the Ambala Air Force Base and it was made permanent on 18th June 1938. During that time India did not possess the capacity to manufacture those parts of aircrafts which were based on superior technology as it lacked the required resources. But now the scenario has changed Indian Air force is today equipped with the state of art technology and we have one of the most advance aircrafts which can give tough completion to the opponents. The Ambala airbase has witnessed this change and presently it also offers all the modern facilities to the military forces.

In the present time the IAF has made it compulsory for its cadets to receive the air training at the Ambala AFS. Thus Ambala airbase has become a training ground for the new entrants of Indian Air Force who dream of serving their country by gaining expertise in their respective area.

Runway

Direction	Length		Surface
	ft	m
30/12	6,393	1,955	Asphalt
30/12	9,250	2,828	Asphalt

Aircrafts
Several aircrafts which are the pride of India Air Force like MiG-21bis and Jaguar aircraft are kept in the custody of Ambala airbase. The airport has huge warehouse which also has maintenance facility. Many IAF aircrafts are kept there for its proper servicing and maintenance.

Air Force Children School

In the year 1975 Air Force Children School was established in the Airbase campus at Agra to take care of the academic requirements of these children who parents were employed in Air Force. For these children it was very tough to get admissions in schools as at that time there were no schools nearby which could cater their educational requirements. Keeping this in mind Children school was started for the kids of Air Force personnel. In the start the school only had the primary classes but later higher classes were added and in the year 1983 the school had classes up to tenth standard. The school is affiliates to the renowned CBSE Boards and meets all the academic norms. In the year 1995 it gained the status of being a Senior Secondary School to cater the higher educational needs of students.

The school offers study in almost all streams like Commerce, Arts and Science.  The school is one of the most renowned and respected schools of the region. It is equipped with all the facilities required for the development and growth of students. The faculties of the school are learned ones and have expertise in their subjects. The school has a rich library which contains wide range of book and it also has a big playground for the students. In the year 2009 the school received the award of the Best School of Indian Air Force in Western Air Command. The students of this school have received several rewards and achievements in various competitions at different levels.

Address

Air Force School Ambala, Alexendra Road, Ambala Cantt-133001, Haryana, India

Phone: +91 -0171 - 2641314, +91 -0171 - 2631818, +91 -0171 - 2634980 - Extn 4633

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www.airforceschoolambala.com/

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