The Navy bid farewell to the Ilyushin-38 Sea Dragon long-range maritime patrol aircraft on Tuesday after 46 years of service, officials announced. The decommissioning ceremony took place at INS Hansa, Dabolim. Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar, veteran officers, sailors of the IL-38 squadron, and other dignitaries attended the event to reflect on its years of service. INAS 315 was established on October 1, 1977, marking a new era of maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare in the Navy with the introduction of the IL-38 aircraft. The IL-38 SD has proven to be a powerful force multiplier with its unique capabilities, striking prowess, and wide reach in the Indian Ocean region. The squadron’s crest, symbolized by the &Winged Stallion&, embodies the motto &Victory is my Profession& as it continues to protect the nation’s maritime boundaries with unwavering vigilance over and under the seas.
