The Indian Navy’s All-Female Crew Makes History

Women officers from the Indian Navy made history by flying the first all-women independent maritime reconnaissance and surveillance mission in the North Arabian Sea aboard a Dornier 228 aircraft.

Five officers from the Indian Navy Air Squadron (INAS) 314 based at the Naval Air Enclave in Gujarat’s Porbandar carried out the mission.

The aircraft was piloted by Lt Cdr Aanchal Sharma, who was assisted by pilots Lt Shivangi and Lt Apurva Gite, as well as Tactical and Sensor Officers Lt Pooja Panda and SLt Pooja Shekhawat.

In preparation for this historic mission, the women officers received months of ground training and comprehensive mission briefings, according to a statement from the Ministry of Defence.

The INAS 314 Naval Air Squadron is based in Porbandar, Gujarat. This “first-of-its-kind military flying mission” is expected to pave the way for female aviation officers to take on more responsibility and aspire to more challenging roles.

Source: Defence Aviation Post