Many S & R missions in peace time and AOP in war time (1965)
In January 58, a maritime flight consisting of 2 Grumman SA-16
Albatross amphibian aircraft was established as part of No 12
Composite Squadron based at Mauripur. On 15 August 59 the status
and strength of this flight was raised to that of a squadron with
4 SA-16s and 4 Bristol Freighters; the unit was designated No
4 Squadron. On 8 July 60 its strength was reduced to 2 SA-16s
and 2 H-19D helicopters, and it was assigned the role of search,
rescue, casualty evacuation and maritime reconnaissance.
No 4 Squadron carried out all its assigned tasks in
a creditable manner. From 9 to 21 November 64 the unit also took
part in CENTO maritime exercise Midlink VII. During the 1965 war,
the SA-16s were employed to detect and report movement of all
kinds of vessels, particularly the Indian aircraft carrier Vikrant.
The H-19s, for their part, helped the army to track down suspicious
persons in the coastal areas.
On 19 August 68 the SA-16s were placed in storage,
bringing to a close their commendable ten year contribution to
the task of search and rescue. No 4 Squadron continued operating
its helicopters till they too were approaching the end of their
useful life. In March 69 the unit was number-plated.