New Delhi : The Indian Navy has decided to deploy two women in the helicopter stream for the first time. Sub Lieutenant Kumudini Tyagi and Sub Lieutenant Reeti Singh have been posted as ‘Observers’ (Airborne Tacticians). This will be the first deployment of women in frontline warships.
Earlier, the entry of women in the Navy was confined to wing aircraft. The defense statement said that the two women are part of a group of 17 Navy officers, including four women officers and three officers of the Indian Coast Guard, who were awarded ‘Wings’ for their deployment as ‘Observers’ at a function held at INS Garuda today.
The group consisted of 13 officers of the regular batch and four women officers of the Short Service Commission batch. The ceremony was presided over by Rear Admiral Antony George, Chief Staff Officer (Training), who presented the awards and prestigious ‘Wings’ to the officers.
Admiral Antony said that this is a historic occasion, for the first time women are being trained in helicopter operations, which will eventually pave the way for the deployment of women in Indian Navy warships. According to the statement, officers of the 91st Regular Course and 22nd SSC Observer Course were trained in aerial navigation, flight procedures, tactics in air warfare, anti-submarine warfare etc. The statement said that these officers will serve the Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard’s maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine war planes.