No. 31 Squadron IAF

No. 31 Squadron IAF, nicknamed Lions, is a Ground Attack squadron of the Indian Air Force, believed to operating from Halwara AFS.

History
The squadron was formed on 1 September 1963, as part of the expansion of the Air Force, in the aftermath of the 1962 War with China, with Mystère fighter-bombers, as a Ground Attack squadron.

Indo-Pakistan War of 1965
In the 1965 War with Pakistan, the Lions, commanded by Wing Commander W.M. Goodman, and operated from Pathankot, assigned to fly missions against various ground targets in the sector with great success.

On 1 September, Pakistan launched its offensive in the Chhamb Sector, to try and cut off communication lines to Kashmir. The Lions were tasked to attack the armoured units. Between 2 and 6 September, the Lions flew several sorties destroying several tanks, and blunting the offensive. The squadron flew several Reconnaissance sorties and Ground Attack missions in the sector, and performed rocket attacks on tank concentrations at Troti and Chhamb, and strafing enemy positions at Jaurian.

On 9 September 2 aircraft of the Lions flew a Photo Recon and Strike mission between Kasur and Raiwind. They attacked a train transporting tanks to the front-line, destroying twenty of them. The Lions also attacked and destroyed a tank and heavy gun concentration at Chawinda. Most missions were led by the CO, Goodman, himself. He was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra, for conspicuous gallantry, leadership, and professional skill, and another pilot was awarded a Vir Chakra for these missions.