[3][4][5] The Austers of No.1 (I) Air OP Flight deployed in Jammu and Kashmir were employed in reconnaissance, direction of artillery fire and casualty evacuation from exposed advanced landing grounds, which it performed gallantly.

During the fourteen months of operations, the Austers flew from Jammu and Srinagar airfields and the advance landing grounds (ALGs) at Naoshera, Jhangar, Rajouri, Mendhar and Chhamb.

[3][5] No.3 Air OP Flight, which was raised in 1958 with the new Auster Mark IX aircraft took part in the capture of Goa during Operation Vijay in 1961.

[6] No.1 (I) Air OP Flight saw action against regular armoured forces, supported by artillery and mechanised infantry during the Rann of Kutch operations in April 1965.

The Austers of the unit acted in support of the 50 (Independent) Parachute Brigade and proved useful during the heavy artillery duels.

Following the ceasefire, the Army understood the need for more adequate Air OP cover and the limitations of the ageing Austers.

Though lacking in aircraft, both in numbers and quality, the Air OP pilots performed a commendable job during the war.

In addition to its traditional role of directing artillery fire, it flew communication sorties along with photo and reconnaissance missions.

11 AOP Flight dropped numerous surrender leaflets and then was instrumental in guiding the Mil Mi-4 transport helicopters during the daring crossing of the Meghna River by 4 Corps.

Major Menezes landed an Army HAL Krishak at Tejgaon Airport at Dhaka, the first Indian fixed wing aircraft to do so.

These helicopter pilots proved their mettle in the frigid high altitudes of Siachen Glacier, the world's highest battlefield, where they supported the troops, flying in supplies, flying out the injured and directing artillery fire; braving both the weather and enemy fire.

[3][8][9][10] The proposals were first put forward to the Government in April 1968 for an independent Corps of Army Aviation, which would be part of an integrated command and control along with tanks, guns and infantry.

The Chief of Army Staff, General Krishnaswamy Sundarji made a compelling presentation to the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in November 1985.

On 16 July 1986, the Government decided that the Army would have its own communication and utility helicopters, which would wholly man, maintain and control it.

The Chetak and Cheetah helicopters were transferred to the Army, but the Air Force continued to provide logistic and maintenance support till 31 October 1989.

[3][5] Cheetahs mounted with two 7.62mm machine guns (called Ranjits) provided useful fire support to the field units.

663 and 666 R&O Squadrons and a number of Independent Flights carried out 3100 air sorties of operational flying in support of the Army's 3rd Infantry and 8th Mountain Divisions.

The simulator exposes trainees to snow, rain, varied terrain, night flying, emergencies, and tactical manoeuvres.

Officers passing out from the Indian Military Academy can join the corps directly, if they have cleared the Pilot Aptitude Battery Test (PABT).

[19] The Indian Air Force flies attack helicopters such as the Mil Mi-24/Mi-35 and HAL Rudra, which are under the operational control of the army.

The Corps of Army Aviation still consists of a large number of ageing aircraft like the Cheetah and Chetak, which need replacement by modern helicopters.

[40] Citing delays due to supply chain issues, as of late September 2024, the first batch of three Apache helicopters are to delivered by December 2024 followed by the next 3 within another few months.

In 2012, the army was evaluating helicopters from Kamov, Eurocopter and AgustaWestland for its light-helicopter contract for supplying troops stationed at high altitudes.

The successful bidder would provide 60 helicopters in operating condition; the remaining 137 aircraft would be produced by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).