SOURCE: UNI
In a moving tribute to the fallen heroes of World War II, the 25th Fighter Squadron nicknamed the ‘Assam Draggins’ of the US Air Force, returned to Assam and Arunachal Pradesh after 81 years to pay homage to their fellow airmen. The squadron’s members visited the Hump Museum, located in Gumin Nagar, Pasighat, on Sunday to honour those who lost their lives in the treacherous mountainous regions of Arunachal Pradesh during the war.
The visit was led by Lieutenant Colonel Justin “Riot” Davis and Captain Nivruth Maramreddy, accompanied by their unit from the 25th Fighter Squadron. The squadron’s history is closely tied to this region, as many US military aircraft crashed in the mountains while attempting to navigate “The Hump,” a hazardous air route between Assam and Yunnan, China, during World War II.
During their missions, over 650 aircraft crashed due to the challenging terrain and extreme weather conditions.
The squadron’s visit to the museum was a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by the airmen who fought for the Allied forces.
The Hump Museum, dedicated to the memory of those who flew the perilous route, was inaugurated by Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu and US Ambassador Eric Garcetti in November 2023.
Notably, the 25th Fighter Squadron, known as the ‘Assam Draggins,’ conducted its first combat mission over the ‘Hump’ on September 25, 1942. After relocating to Dinjan, Assam, the squadron’s combat activity intensified, and it gained its nickname ‘Assam Draggins.’