For the first time two women officers, Sub Lieutenant Kumudini Tyagi and Sub Lieutenant Riti Singh will be posted as a part of the Indian Navy warship crew. They will be serving as Observers who are airborne tacticians, regulating and handling equipment for the Indian Navy.
![First time in history, 2 women officers to operate Helicopters From Indian Navy Warships પહેલીવાર ભારતીય નૌકાદળના યુદ્ધ જહાજ પર તહેનાત થશે બે મહિલા અધિકારી](https://ik.imagekit.io/o8plo3y5if/opoyi_fWIxEWQ0T3.jpg)
Earlier, entry of women was constrained to the fixed-wing aircraft that took off and landed ashore, as there were privacy concerns and lavatories issues.
The women officers are getting trained to operate sensors onboard navy multi-role helicopters. This also includes sonar consoles and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) payloads. Reportedly they will operate the latest multi-role navy helicopters- MH-60R.
The two officers are a part of a group of 17 officers of the Navy, comprising four women officers and three officers of the Indian Coast Guard, who were presented as ‘Wings’ on graduating as ‘Observers’ at a ceremony held on 21 September at INS Garuda, here, a Defence statement stated. The group included 13 officers of Regular batch and four-woman officers of Short Service Commission batch.
The ceremony was directed in the presence of Rear Admiral Antony George, Chief Staff Officer (Training) who awarded the graduating officers.
![First time in history, 2 women officers to operate Helicopters From Indian Navy Warships In a first, Indian Navy women officers to join warships crew - IBTimes India](https://data1.ibtimes.co.in/en/full/749033/navy.jpg?h=450&l=50&t=40)
Besides, the chief guest also presented the Instructor Badge to six other officers, (five from the Indian Navy including a woman and another from Indian Coast Guard) who had successfully graduated as Qualified Navigation Instructors (QNI).
The Rear Admiral Antony emphasized the fact that it was a turning point in the history of Indian Navy warship wherein for the first-time women will be a part of Indian Navy Helicopter stream. This would eventually pave the way for women officers appointment in frontline warships.
![First time in history, 2 women officers to operate Helicopters From Indian Navy Warships Elementor #100755 - Abc News](https://abcnews.media/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/EibTP-YX0AITyQj.jpg)
The officers of the 91st Regular course and 22nd SSC Observer course were well oriented in air navigation, flying procedures, tactics administered in air warfare, anti-submarine warfare and exploitation of airborne avionic systems.
These officers would serve on-board Maritime Reconnaissance and Anti-Submarine Warfare aircraft of the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard, the statement stated.