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Indian Navy ‘rhymes’ its combat jet squadrons
Indo-Asian News Service ^ | February 19th, 2010

Posted on 02/19/2010 7:31:46 AM PST by sukhoi-30mki

Indian Navy ‘rhymes’ its combat jet squadrons

Panaji, Feb 19 (IANS) The Indian Navy named its first combat jet squadron the White Tigers. To “rhyme” with this, it has named its second squadron, four aircraft of which were inducted Friday, the Black Panthers. As and when additional squadrons are inducted, they will be appropriately named, an officer said. “Our Sea Harrier squadron is named White Tigers. So we wanted a name from the cat family to rhyme well with White Tigers. Thus, the second squadron was named Black Panthers,” Captain Surendra Ahuja, the commanding officer of the shore-based INS Hansa where the four Mig-29Ks inducted Friday will be initially stationed, told IANS.

“As and when additional squadrons are inducted, we will name them appropriately,” he added.

The four MiG-29s will soon be joined by another two that are currently undergoing tests, with 10 more expected over the next few months.

On a long-term basis, the navy would get an additional 29 MiG-29Ks, with Defence Minister A.K. Antony announcing Friday these would be ordered from Russia.

The Black Panthers squadron will eventually be deployed on the aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov, renamed INS Vikramaditya, which is currently being refurbished in a Russian shipyard and which is expected to be commissioned in the Indian Navy around 2012.

The additional squadrons are likely to be deployed on the Vikramaditya and the indegenous aircraft carrier that is being built at the Cochin Shipyard.

The Sea Harriers operate from the navy’s lone aircraft carrier INS Viraat. Inducted in the 1980s, 11 planes are in service: eight for operational purposes and three for training.


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: india; navair; navy; squadron
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1 posted on 02/19/2010 7:31:46 AM PST by sukhoi-30mki
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To: sukhoi-30mki

Indians must have a different definition of “rhyme” than do I.

Still, I’d like to see what’s next. The Spotted Ocelots? The Tawny Lions?


2 posted on 02/19/2010 7:34:54 AM PST by afraidfortherepublic
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To: sukhoi-30mki

Let me know when they get to “Civet” Squadron.............


3 posted on 02/19/2010 7:35:13 AM PST by Red Badger (Education makes people easy to lead, difficult to drive; easy to govern, but impossible to enslave.)
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To: sukhoi-30mki

So will they have a “Viking Kitty” squadron?


4 posted on 02/19/2010 7:35:33 AM PST by mdmathis6
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To: afraidfortherepublic

Maybe a literal rhyme has been lost in the translation. India speaks many languages in addition to English.


5 posted on 02/19/2010 7:37:31 AM PST by HiTech RedNeck (I am in America but not of America (per bible: am in the world but not of it))
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To: sukhoi-30mki

Okay, I’m not in the military — but this rhyming name business sounds plain stupid, and frankly dangerous to me.

There’s a reason why the military uses such things as “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot” You’d want things to be clearly understood in time of battle.

You’d say “Delta company” instead of “D company” lest someone thing you meant “B” company.

You don’t need extra time clarifying: “Did you want ‘b’ company or ‘d’ company to attack? “b” — no “D” you idiot, “D” like “Delta.”

By that time the stupid Indians would all be dead.

Sheesh. Whatever, morons.


6 posted on 02/19/2010 7:38:06 AM PST by gemoftheocean (...geez, this all seems so straight forward and logical to me...)
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To: sukhoi-30mki
The concept sounds familiar...

[pun intended]


7 posted on 02/19/2010 7:38:24 AM PST by null and void (We are now in day 393 of our national holiday from reality. - 0bama really isn't one of US.)
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To: mdmathis6

want zot, call out Viking Kitties.


8 posted on 02/19/2010 7:38:31 AM PST by HiTech RedNeck (I am in America but not of America (per bible: am in the world but not of it))
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To: mdmathis6
So will they have a “Viking Kitty” squadron?

EXCELLENT!

9 posted on 02/19/2010 7:39:22 AM PST by null and void (We are now in day 393 of our national holiday from reality. - 0bama really isn't one of US.)
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To: gemoftheocean

Dude, these terms are for mainly ceremonial purposes. Nobody goes into combat with loaded names of their squadron or unit.


10 posted on 02/19/2010 7:46:40 AM PST by sukhoi-30mki
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To: mdmathis6

http://users.wolfcrews.com/toys/vikings/viking_kittens.swf


11 posted on 02/19/2010 7:46:45 AM PST by NativeNewYorker (Freepin' Jew Boy)
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To: sukhoi-30mki

Just don’t touch “The Flying Tigers”.


12 posted on 02/19/2010 7:48:52 AM PST by sonofagun (Some think my cynicism grows with age. I like to think of it as wisdom!)
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To: gemoftheocean
Okay, I’m not in the military

Obviously.

— but this rhyming name business sounds plain stupid, and frankly dangerous to me.

Did you read the article? This is simply the unit nickname, kinda like 3rd Infantry Division (of which I was a part) was the Rock of the Marne, or my brigade was the "Sledgehammer" brigade. It's just a nickname, nothing more.

There’s a reason why the military uses such things as “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot” You’d want things to be clearly understood in time of battle. You’d say “Delta company” instead of “D company” lest someone thing you meant “B” company. You don’t need extra time clarifying: “Did you want ‘b’ company or ‘d’ company to attack? “b” — no “D” you idiot, “D” like “Delta.”

On this, at least, you are correct. It's called the phonetic alphabet. However, think about what you're saying -- on the radio, is it any different to call for "Alpha 6" (the commander of Alpha company) or "Animal 6"? Of course not. Neither one will be mistaken for another letter or unit.

By that time the stupid Indians would all be dead. Sheesh. Whatever, morons.

India has a fine martial history in its own right. They are fierce and loyal fighters, proven over and over again in battle. You might want to re-think your position a bit.

13 posted on 02/19/2010 7:51:17 AM PST by Terabitten (Vets wrote a blank check, payable to the Constitution, for an amount up to and including their life.)
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To: gemoftheocean

Not sure if they are talking literal rhyme (it might be, in Hindi, which could lead to the trouble you point out) or name parallelism.

I’d be a bit more worried about Russia having one of its arrogant tiffs and refusing to service India’s fleet, complete pending orders, etc. because India did something Russia doesn’t like (such as get underfoot in an invasion of the free world). Once India gets these craft they had better be able to take care of them completely without Russian help.


14 posted on 02/19/2010 7:51:45 AM PST by HiTech RedNeck (I am in America but not of America (per bible: am in the world but not of it))
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To: HiTech RedNeck

Granted.


15 posted on 02/19/2010 7:53:04 AM PST by afraidfortherepublic
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To: Touch Not the Cat

meow!


16 posted on 02/19/2010 7:53:05 AM PST by HiTech RedNeck (I am in America but not of America (per bible: am in the world but not of it))
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To: null and void

17 posted on 02/19/2010 7:53:55 AM PST by paulycy (Demand Constitutionality. (Hi Mom.))
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To: sukhoi-30mki
Holy Indian Cow, How about the pretty kitties.
18 posted on 02/19/2010 7:57:55 AM PST by Waverunner ( "Think for yourselves and let others enjoy the privilege to do so too." Voltaire)
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To: sukhoi-30mki

Purple Pumas?


19 posted on 02/19/2010 8:03:27 AM PST by BreitbartSentMe (Ex-Dem since 2001 *Folding@Home for the Gipper - Join the FReeper Folders*)
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To: Terabitten
On this, at least, you are correct. It's called the phonetic alphabet. However, think about what you're saying -- on the radio, is it any different to call for "Alpha 6" (the commander of Alpha company) or "Animal 6"? Of course not. Neither one will be mistaken for another letter or unit.

I've often wondered why they didn't select letter names that start with the letter sound.

Able Baker Charley Delta vs Able Beetle Ceiling Delight. Can't be done with every letter, but why not do it where it can?

20 posted on 02/19/2010 8:03:37 AM PST by null and void (We are now in day 393 of our national holiday from reality. - 0bama really isn't one of US.)
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