Panagarh AFS
Summary
Operating Country | 🇮🇳 India |
Location | 🇮🇳 India |
Status | ◉ Active |
Usage | Military only |
Year built | 1942 |
Operating Organization | Indian Air Force |
Units |
|
Description
Air Force Station Arjan Singh, formerly Panagarh Airport, is an Indian Air Force base located near Panagarh, West Bengal, India. It operates under the Eastern Air Command. During World War II, from 1942 to 1945, it served as a supply transport airfield for the United States Army Air Forces Tenth Air Force and as a repair and maintenance depot for B-24 Liberator heavy bombers by Air Technical Service Command. The airport was renamed after former chief of air force Arjan Singh in 2018. Currently, No. 87 Squadron, operating Lockheed C-130J Super Hercules aircraft, is stationed there. The Indian Air Force plans to deploy six aerial refueling tanker aircraft at this station to enhance the range of fighter planes like Su-30MKIs based in Tezpur and Chabua. Panagarh is also the headquarters of the Indian Army's XVII Mountain Strike Corps. Additionally, AFS Arjan Singh serves as a training base for paratroopers, with the Paratrooper Training School from Agra having established a base here for special forces training, including night operations.