brigade consisted of three distinguished battalions from different regiments: the 1st battalion, Punjab Regiment (Para), the 3rd battalion, Maratha Light Infantry (Para), and the 1st battalion, Kumaon Regiment (Para). These battalions had been carrying out parachute duties after the disbandment of the regiment in 1945, and had continued to wear the uniform of their parent regiments except for a change in headgear to the maroon beret, and in order to distinguish them from the other battalions of their regiments, the word 'Para' was added after their names. Indo-Pakistani War of 1947 Both the 50th and 77th Parachute Brigades saw extensive action in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947. The three parachute battalions and the support units of the 50th Parachute Brigade saw extensive action. The three battalions distinguished themselves in the battles of Shelatang, Naushera, Jhangar and Poonch, after which they were awarded the respective battle honours. The brigade commander, Brig. Mohammad Usman, was killed in action on 3 July 1948, and was posthumously awarded the Maha Vir Chakra. 60 Parachute Field Ambulance, as part of the 77th Parachute Brigade, also saw action in Kashmir where it raised and maintained the now famous Cariappa Hospital catering to the needs of numerous units in its vicinity (27 Indian Army and State Forces battalions along with other units) and constantly faced shortages due to the war situation and inclement weather conditions. The unit's performance, like other units of the parachute brigade, was beyond all expectations and resulted in the awarding of numerous gallantry awards, including a Vir Chakra to Capt. V. Rangaswami, the surgeon. 60 Parachute Field Ambulance and the Korean War With the North Korean invasion of South Korea in 1950, the UN sent out a call to the free world for assistance. India decided not to get involved militarily but contributed a medical unit, the 60 Parachute Field Ambulance (60 PFA) which served in Korea for a total of four years. 60 PFA was involved in providing medical cover to the forces of the UN Command as well as the ROK Army and local civilians, and earned the title, "The Angels in Brown Berets" due to their iconic reddish-brown berets. The unit also looked after the North Korean POWs. They treated over 222,000 soldiers and civilians from 1950 to 1954. The highlight of the tenure undoubtedly was when the unit provided their services during Operation Tomahawk on 21 March 1951 to