PositiveNewsCorner

Based on inputs by Shahid kazi

A batch of three trainee officers of the 7th Dornier Conversion Course (DOCC), including lady officer Sub Lieutenant Shivangi, qualified as Dornier pilots and were awarded the coveted golden ‘Wings’ at a ceremony held at INS Garuda. Vice Admiral AK Chawla, the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief (FOC-in-C), Southern Naval Command was the Chief Guest for the ceremony who presented the ‘Wings’ to the passing out officers, signifying their qualification as naval aviators.

Sub Lieutenant (SLt) Shivangi created history as the first woman pilot of the Indian Navy, on successful graduation from the course.

SLt Shivangi, a native of Muzaffarpur, Bihar was inducted into the Indian Navy under the Short Service Commission (SSC)-Pilot entry scheme, and was part of the 27th Naval Orientation Course (NOC) at the Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala. She was commissioned into the Navy in June last year.

As part of her training, SLt Shivangi has flown Pilatus PC 7 MkII, Basic Trainer at AFA and completed Dornier Conversion with the Indian Navy at Kochi. She will continue her training at INAS 550, the Dornier squadron at INS Garuda, to become a fully operational pilot on Maritime Reconnaissance (MR) aircraft.

The award of the ‘Wings’ marks the culmination of one year of flying training at the Air Force Academy (AFA), Dundigal and Indian Naval Air Squadron (INAS) 550, INS Garuda in Kochi.