Lieutenant Kumudini Tyagi and Second Lieutenant Riti Singh will be deployed as “observers” aboard the Indian Navy warships as part of the ship’s crew.
Lieutenant Kumudini Tyagi and Second Lieutenant Riti Singh would indeed be the first group of female airborne combatants to operate helicopters from warships. Previously, the entry of women was restricted to fixed-wing aircraft taking off and landing on the ground.
- News18.com
- Last update: September 21, 2020 10:47 PM IST
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In a historic first, two female officers, Lt. Kumudini Tyagi and 2nd Lt. Riti Singh, will be deployed as “observers” aboard Indian Navy warships as part of the ship’s crew, paving the way for for female air combatants to operate from front-line warships. .
“In fact, they would be the first group of airborne female combatants to operate from warships. Previously, the entry of women was restricted to fixed-wing aircraft taking off and landing on the ground,” said the Indian Navy spokesman. , Commander Vivek Madhwal.
Second Lieutenant Kumudini Tyagi and Second Lieutenant Riti Singh are part of a group of 17 officers from the Indian Navy, including four female officers and three officers from the Indian Coast Guard (13 officers from the Regular batch and 4 female officers from the Indian Navy batch). Short Service Commission) who were awarded “Wings” upon graduating as “Observers” (air tacticians) at a ceremony held Monday at INS Garuda, Kochi.
“The ceremony was presided over by Rear Admiral Antony George NM, VSM, Chief of Staff (Training), who presented the coveted awards and wings to graduate officers,” said Commander Vivek Madhwal.
In addition, the main guest also awarded the ‘Instructor Badge’ to six other officers (five from the Indian Navy, including one woman and one from the Indian Coast Guard) who successfully graduated as Qualified Navigation Instructors ( QNI) on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, Rear Admiral Antony George highlighted the fact that it is a historic occasion where, for the first time, women will be trained in helicopter operations that would ultimately pave the way for the deployment of women on ships. of the Indian Navy’s front line warfare.
Women in the Indian Air Force can also join their naval counterparts in breaking through the glass ceiling with a female fighter pilot trained to fly the newly incorporated Rafale fighter jets.
Sources said the pilot will be based in Squadron 17 in Ambala, where the five Rafale jets are stationed.
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