Captain Abhilasha Barak becomes country’s first female Combat Aviator

New Delhi: History was made on Wednesday when Captain Abhilasha Barak became the country's first female Combat Aviator. According to the Indian Army, the lady officer successfully completed her training after which she has been inducted into the Army Aviation Corps as a Combat Aviator.

She was awarded the prestigious Wing with 36 Army Pilots. In a tweet, the Army said, "37 Army Pilots of the Combat Aviators Course including First Women officer graduated from the Combat Army Aviation Training School at Nashik Today. Coveted Wings were awarded by DG Army & Colonel Commandant Army Aviation."

It said on Instagram, "Golden letter day in the history of Indian Army aviation. Captain Abhilasha Barak becomes the first woman officer to join Army Aviation Corps as Combat Aviator after successful completion of training."

"Captain Abhilasha Barak has been awarded the Coveted Wings along with 36 Army Pilots by Director General and Colonel Commandant Army Aviation. Young Aviators are now ready to spread their wings in Combat Aviation Squadrons," it further said.

An Army spokesperson told Defence Watch that 15 women officers had expressed their desire to join Army Aviation but in June last year, only two women officers were selected for the training. Both of them were trained at the Combat Army Aviation Training School, Nashik.

The Aviation Corps is the sole flying branch of the Indian Army. It operates Cheetah, Cheetak, HAL Dhruv and Rudra Helicopters. The Squadrons of Army Aviation are specialized in Para drops, Search and Rescue Operations and Special forces Insertion and Exertion. The squadron works extensively in Siachen Glaciers for Supply and Medical Emergencies. The Army Aviation Corps was presented with the President Colours by President Ram Nath Kovind and It was received by CAATS in October 2019.

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