Navy’s all-women aircrew creates history by carrying out surveillance mission over North Arabian Sea
PTI, Aug 4, 2022, 5:30 PM IST
Credit: The Hindu
In a rare feat, five women officers of the Indian Navy carried out the first independent maritime reconnaissance and surveillance mission in the North Arabian Sea onboard a Dornier aircraft.
The Navy on Thursday described the mission by the women officers from its ‘INAS 314’ frontline naval air squadron in Porbandar as ”historic”.
The aircraft was captained by Mission Commander, Lt Commander Aanchal Sharma, and other members of the team are Lt Shivangi and Lt Apurva Gite (both pilots), and tactical and sensor officers, Lt Pooja Panda and Sub Lt Pooja Shekhawat.
”On Wednesday, five officers of the Indian Navy’s INAS 314 based at naval air enclave in Porbandar created history by completing the first all-women independent maritime reconnaissance and surveillance mission in the North Arabian Sea onboard a Dornier 228 aircraft,” spokesperson in the Indian Navy Commander Vivek Madhwal said. The INAS 314 is a frontline naval air squadron based at Porbandar, Gujarat and operates the state-of-the-art Dornier 228 maritime reconnaissance aircraft.
The women officers received months of ground training and comprehensive mission briefings in the run-up to the sortie.
Commander Madhwal said the first-of-its-kind military flying mission on Wednesday was unique and is expected to pave the way for women officers in the aviation cadre to assume greater responsibility and aspire for more challenging roles. ”It perhaps marks a unique achievement for the armed forces that a crew of only women officers undertook an independent operational mission in a multi-crew maritime surveillance aircraft,” he said.
”It was indeed a mission that showcased ‘Nari Shakti’ in its real spirit,” he said.
The spokesperson said the Indian Navy has been a front-runner in driving transformation in the armed forces.
”It’s pioneering women empowerment initiatives include induction of women pilots, selection of women air operations officers into the helicopter stream and conducting an all-women sailing circumnavigation expedition across the globe in 2018,” he said.
Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.
Top News
Related Articles More
Shiv Sena (Punjab) leader attacked with swords in broad daylight in Ludhiana, condition serious
Nine dead after entering wells in Janjgir-Champa, Korba; cops suspect poisonous gas inhalation
Bengal Speaker administers oath to 2 TMC MLAs; Raj Bhavan calls it ‘violation of constitution’
ISRO to organise hackathon to celebrate first National Space Day on Aug 23
Rohit, Suryakumar’s banter on The Catch captivates Maharashtra assembly
MUST WATCH
Latest Additions
RED alert: Holiday for all schools and PUCs in Dakshina Kannada for Saturday
Mangaluru International Airport commences international cargo operations
Shiv Sena (Punjab) leader attacked with swords in broad daylight in Ludhiana, condition serious
Nine dead after entering wells in Janjgir-Champa, Korba; cops suspect poisonous gas inhalation
Bengal Speaker administers oath to 2 TMC MLAs; Raj Bhavan calls it ‘violation of constitution’
Thanks for visiting Udayavani
You seem to have an Ad Blocker on.
To continue reading, please turn it off or whitelist Udayavani.