INAS 339 was commissioned by V Adm S K Jain on 23 November 1990 at INS Kunjali, Mumbai. Cdr S V Purohit was the commissioning Squadron Commander of the squadron. The squadron initially operated
Westland Sea King helicopters but changed over to
Kamov 28s in March 1993. The squadron, thereafter, shifted base to
INS Hansa,
Goa. The Falcons inducted the
Kamov 31 Airborne Early Warning (AEW) aircraft in 2003 along with the induction of the
Talwar Class frigates from Russia, which has understandably given them the status of Navy's ‘Eyes in the Skies’. INAS 339 operated both the KV 28 and KM 31 helicopters until May 2009. Thereafter, the KV 28 were rebased to
INAS 333 in
Vizag as replacement of the decommissioned
KA 25s. == References ==