On Sunday, September 15, officials and personnel from the US Air Force’s 25th Fighter Squadron, famously known as the ‘Assam Draggins,’ visited the Hump Museum in Pasighat, Arunachal Pradesh, to honour the airmen who lost their lives during World War II. The homage was led by Lt. Col. Justin “Riot” Davis and Capt. Nivruth Maramreddy, reflecting on the sacrifices of their predecessors. The visit bears deep historical significance, as the 25th Fighter Squadron conducted its first combat mission over the Hump in 1942, transporting critical supplies from Assam to China’s Yunnan province across one of the most treacherous flight paths of the war.
During these missions, nearly 650 aircraft were lost, with airmen battling severe weather and mountainous terrain. The squadron earned its enduring nickname, “Assam Draggins,” during its operations from Assam. The Hump route, infamous for its danger, passed over Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and into China, claiming the lives of hundreds of US airmen. Many of their remains are still believed to be buried in the Himalayan mountains.
Inaugurated by Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu and US Ambassador Eric Garcetti in November 2023, the Hump Museum stands as a memorial to those who flew the perilous route. John Tayeng, of Abor Country Travels & Expedition, who coordinated the visit, described the occasion as an “honour” to welcome the squadron back to the region 81 years later.
