In a rare feat, five officers of the Indian Navy's INAS-314 based at the Naval Air Enclave in Porbandar created history by completing an first "all-women independent maritime reconnaissance and surveillance mission" in the North Arabian Sea onboard a Dornier 228 aircraft. According to reports, the aircraft was captained by the Mission Commander, Lt Cdr Aanchal Sharma.
Sharma had pilots, Lt Shivangi and Lt Apurva Gite, and Tactical and Sensor Officers, Lt Pooja Panda and SLt Pooja Shekhawat in her team.
The Indian Naval Air Squadron (INAS)-314 is a frontline naval air squadron based at Gujarat's Porbandar and operates the state-of-the-art Dornier 228 maritime reconnaissance aircraft. The squadron is commanded by Cdr SK Goyal, a qualified navigation instructor.
The mission was completed on August 3 under the leadership of Sharma who was commissioned to Indian Navy in June 2016.
Sharma, an observer officer posted at the Indian Naval Air Squadron (INAS) 314 — lead the Naval contingent of 96 young sailors and four officers, including herself, during this year's Republic Day parade.
For the mission, the women officers had to undergo months of ground training and comprehensive mission briefings. "The Indian Navy has been a front-runner in driving transformation in the Armed Forces," Indian Navy spokespersons Commander Vivek Madhwal said.
"This first-of-its-kind military flying mission was, however, unique and is expected to pave the way for women officers in the aviation cadre to assume greater responsibility and aspire for more challenging roles," he said.
The development comes years after an all-women Indian Navy crew on board INSV Tarini created historic feat by successfully circumnavigated around the globe for eight months in 2018.