Indian Naval Air Squadron 551 was commissioned into the Indian Navy on 05 September 1961. The Squadron traces its origin to the Naval Jet Flight set up at Sulur in September 1957. Since its inception ‘The Phantoms’ have been the cradle for fighter pilots in the Indian Navy. The role of this squadron is to provide operational flying training to pilots prior to front-line flying duties. The squadron initially operated Kiran – Mk I/ IA/ II at INS Hansa, Goa. The Squadron was rebased to INS Dega, Visakhapatnam on 01 January 2014 with the induction of Hawk Mk 132 aircraft. The Hawk Mk-132 aircraft is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment for navigation as well as armament and provides much needed fillip for training of fighter pilots in the Navy. INAS 551’ has been numbered as per sequential serial number of the Air Squadrons of IN. The crest shows the outline of a flying bird superimposed over a traditional naval anchor over the Blue and White sea waves against a Blue background. The design emphasises the training of pilots in a maritime environment.
