Indian Navy Gets First Woman Helicopter Pilot 'SLt Anamika B Rajeev'

The Indian Navy celebrates a milestone with the graduation of its first woman helicopter pilot, SLt Anamika B Rajeev, during the 102nd Helicopter Conversion Course at INS Rajali, Tamil Nadu.

In a historic event, the Indian Navy marked the graduation of its first woman helicopter pilot, SLt Anamika B Rajeev, during the Passing Out Parade for the 102nd Helicopter Conversion Course (HCC) at Naval Air Station INS Rajali, Arakkonam, Tamil Nadu. The ceremony, held on Friday, also celebrated the completion of Stage I training for the 4th Basic Helicopter Conversion Course (BHCC).

The prestigious "Golden Wings" were awarded to 21 officers by Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command. This accolade included three officers from the 03 BHCC. Additionally, three officers of the 04 Basic Conversion Course (BCC) successfully completed their Stage I training.

The Passing Out Parade marked the culmination of a 22-week intensive training program at Indian Naval Air Squadron 561. This program included rigorous flying and ground training, underscoring the Indian Navy’s commitment to producing skilled helicopter pilots.

Among the highlights of the event was SLt Anamika B Rajeev, who made history as the first woman naval helicopter pilot. This achievement signifies the Indian Navy’s dedication to gender inclusivity and expanding career opportunities for women. Another notable graduate was Lt Jamyang Tsewang, the first commissioned naval officer from the Union Territory of Ladakh, who also became a qualified helicopter pilot.

Several awards were presented during the ceremony to recognize exceptional performance:

• Lt Gurkirat Rajput received the FOCinC, Eastern Naval Command Rolling Trophy for the top trainee pilot in flying.
• Lt Nitin Sharan Chaturvedi was awarded the Sub-Lt Kunte Memorial Book Prize for excelling in ground subjects.
• Lt Deepak Gupta earned the Governor of Kerala Rolling Trophy for overall merit.

The Helicopter Training School at INS Rajali, currently commanded by Cmde Kapil Mehta, has a rich heritage of over five decades. It has trained 849 pilots for the Indian Navy, Coast Guard, and friendly foreign nations. The school, overseen by Cdr Archesh, is known for its safe and effective training environment, ensuring timely and efficient course completion.

The newly qualified pilots from the 102nd HCC will join various frontline operational units of the Indian Navy. They are prepared to undertake diverse missions including reconnaissance, surveillance, search and rescue, and anti-piracy operations. The officers who completed Stage I of the 04 BHCC will continue their Stage II training at the Helicopter Training School.

This graduation ceremony not only celebrated individual achievements but also underscored the Indian Navy's commitment to excellence and inclusivity in its ranks.