Indian Navy Gets Its 1st Woman Naval Helicopter Pilot
By A Draft Correspondent
On 7 June 2024, a passing out parade marked the graduation of the 102nd Helicopter Conversion Course (HCC) and completion of stage I training of 04th Basic Helicopter Conversion Course (BHCC) at the Naval Air Station INS Rajali in Arakkonam, Tamil Nadu.
Here, 21 officers, including three officers from 03 BHCC were awarded the prestigious 'Golden Wings' by Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, Additionally, three officers of 04 BCC successfully completed their Stage – (I) training.
Sub-Lieutenant Anamika B Rajeev became Indian Navy's first woman helicopter pilot after she received the prestigious 'Golden Wings' at the ceremony. The first commissioned naval officer from the Union Territory of Ladakh Lt Jamyang Tsewang also successfully graduated as a qualified helicopter pilot, as per the Indian Navy.
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| Sub-Lieutenant Anamika B Rajeev became Indian Navy's first woman helicopter pilot |
The passing out parade marked the successful culmination of an intensive 22-week training programme encompassing rigorous flying and ground training at the Indian Naval Air Squadron 561, the alma mater of all helicopter pilots of Indian Navy.
Highlighting Indian Navy’s commitment to gender inclusivity and expanding career opportunities for women, SLt Anamika B Rajeev created history by graduating as the ‘First Woman Naval Helicopter Pilot’. She will now be allowed to fly helicopters such as ALH Dhruvs, Sea Kings, Chetaks and MH-60R Seahawks.
Notably, Indian Air Force's Flying Officer Avani Chaturvedi created history by becoming the first Indian woman to fly a fighter aircraft solo in 2018 when she flew a MiG-21 Bison in her first solo flight.
The FOC-in-C Eastern Naval Command Rolling Trophy for the trainee pilot standing First in Order of Merit in Flying was awarded to Lt Gurkirat Rajput. Sub Lieutenant Kunte Memorial Book Prize for standing First in Order of Merit in Ground Subjects was awarded to Lt Nitin Sharan Chaturvedi. Governor of Kerala Rolling Trophy for First in Overall Order of Merit was awarded to Lt Deepak Gupta.
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| The passing out parade was held at the Naval Air Station INS Rajali in Arakkonam, Tamil Nadu |
In its rich heritage spanning more than five decades, Helicopter Training School has trained 849 pilots of the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard as well as friendly foreign nations. Helicopter Training School is located at INS Rajali, Arakkonam presently commanded by Commodore Kapil Mehta while the school is commanded by Commander Archesh.
The Squadron’s safe and conducive training environment coupled with meticulous planning and execution ensures completion of course ‘On time, Every Time’. The newly qualified pilots of 102 HCC will be appointed to various front-line operational units of the Indian Navy where they will take on diverse missions such as reconnaissance, surveillance, search and rescue, and anti-piracy.
The Officers of 04 BHCC having successfully completed Stage – (I) training, will be retained for Stage – (II) training at the Helicopter Training School.
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