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.
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?
Let me know when they get to “Civet” Squadron.............
So will they have a “Viking Kitty” squadron?
Maybe a literal rhyme has been lost in the translation. India speaks many languages in addition to English.
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.
[pun intended]
want zot, call out Viking Kitties.
EXCELLENT!
Dude, these terms are for mainly ceremonial purposes. Nobody goes into combat with loaded names of their squadron or unit.
Just don’t touch “The Flying Tigers”.
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.
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.
Granted.
meow!
Purple Pumas?
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?
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