INAS 322
Active	12 November 2013 -present[1]
Country	India
Branch	Indian Navy
Garrison/HQ	INS Garuda,Kochi[2]
Nickname	The Guardians
Aircraft flown
Multirole helicopter	HAL Dhruv[3]

TheINAS 322 is anIndian naval air squadron based atINS Garuda,Kochi.^[4]

The Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), also known as 'Dhruv', is the first indigenously designed and manufactured helicopter by HAL Bangalore. ALH was inducted into the Indian Navy on 28 March 2002. The Intensive Flying and Trials Unit (IFTU), formed at INS Garuda on 10 February 2003, undertook three years of intensive flying trials and evaluations. Post completion, the aircraft was cleared for operational exploitation and ALH Flights were established at Kochi and Goa on 1 September 2005. With the amalgamation of the two units in December 2009, ALH Flight Kochi remains the sole ALH operating unit in the Navy. The first ALH squadron was commissioned on 12 November 2013 at INS Garuda, Kochi. The ALH is being employed for a variety of missions including Advanced Search and Rescue, Special Heli-Borne Operations, Armed Patrol, Sniper Ops, VVIP Carriage and Night SAR. Cdr Ravi Sivasankar is the first Commanding Officer of the squadron.^[5]

On 27 April 2016, theIndian Navy stationed an ALH MK III at Maldives, to be based atKadhdhoo Island inLaamu Atol. The helicopter will assist theMaldives National Defence Force in undertaking search and rescue, casualty evacuation, coastal surveillance, maritime reconnaissance, communication and logistic duties. The Indian Naval Contingent is headed by Cdr Rohit Gupte and comprises 4 officers and 21 sailors. The technical support team comprises 13 technicians and is headed by Lt Cdr Jithu K Joy. The support team with the spares and support equipment reachedMale on 25 April 2016.^[6][7][8]

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