Indian Navy gets its First Women Airborne Combatants to be Deployed on Warships
Sub Lieutenant (SLt.) Kumudini Tyagi and SLt. Riti Singh will join as “Observers” in the helicopter stream. In an exclusive interview with Ayushee Chaudhary of SP’s Naval
Forces, the two dynamic navy officers offered a first-hand experience of their personal as well as professional encounters and the development of their roles going further.
MARKIng A LAndMARK MOMenT in the history of the Indian naval aviation, two women officers have been selected to join as “Observers” in the helicopter stream. Sub Lieutenant (SLt.) Kumudini Tyagi and SLt. Riti Singh would in effect be the first set of women airborne combatants who would be operating from warships. Previously, entry of women was confined to the fixed wing aircraft that took off and landed ashore. Prior to this women have been employed in different ranks in Indian navy but never before have they been posted on warships.
Observers’ Wings
Tyagi and Singh were awarded “Wings” on graduating as “Observers” at a ceremony held on September 21, 2020 at InS garuda, Kochi. Rear Admiral Antony george, Chief Staff Officer (Training) presided over the ceremony. Speaking on the occasion, Rear
Admiral george complemented the graduating officers and highlighted the fact that it is a landmark occasion wherein for the firsttime women are going to be trained in helicopter operations which would ultimately pave way for the deployment of women in frontline warships of Indian navy.
SLt. Tyagi feels short of words to describe how it felt to finally see this dream come true. “We have both worked hard in our training period to have these wings on our chest. Seeing everyone’s response has made us further realise the