A famous saying in the Himalayas,

“In the Mountains when in trouble or lost

Next to God, remember HAWS”

-      An ode to the prowess of White Devils.

High Altitude Warfare School (HAWS) was raised as19 Infantry Division Ski School on 11 December 1948 by General KS Thimayya, DSO erstwhile General Officer Commanding, 19 Infantry Division. Lt Col Gyan Singh, then Commanding Officer of 11 Field Regiment was appointment as Officiating Commandant.The School rapidly established itself, gaining popularity and fame in Skiing and Winter Warfare training. In the winter of 1949-50, the school was upgraded as command establishment and designated as Winter Warfare School. Post 1962 Sino-India war, the school was upgraded to a Category ‘A’ training establishment under Directorate General of Military Training and designated as High Altitude Warfare School (HAWS). In November 1985, the school was placed under Directorate General of Infantry and since September 1993, the school has been functioning under the command and control of Headquarters Army Training Command.

The School today stands as the most decorated training establishment of Indian Army. It has the proud distinction of being awarded three General Officer Commanding-in-Chief unit appreciations.

Operations and training are inherent to the capability of HAWS, as a result of the skills possessed by team of instructors. Winter sports and adventure activities are off shoots of its capabilities. Army Winter Games Node (AWGN) managed by the school trains the Army Ski Team (AST) which has won laurels at National and International level in winter sports. Mountain and Winter Warfare Training.