Indian Air Force all-women crew flies Mi-17 helicopter for the first time
Three women officers flew the helicopter for a battle training mission.
An all-women crew of the Indian Air Force flew a medium-lift helicopter on Monday for the first time in India, PTI reported.
The crew comprised Flight Lieutenant Parul Bhardwaj, who was led the team, Flying Officer Aman Nidhi and Flight Lieutenant Hina Jaiswal. “The all women crew flew a Mi-17 V5 helicopter for a Battle Inoculation Training mission taking off and landing from restricted areas at a forward air base in South Western air command,” the Air Force said in a press setatement.
Bhardwaj is the first woman pilot to fly the Mi-17 V5 helicopter, while Jaiswal is the first woman flight engineer of the Indian Air Force. Nidhi is the first woman Indian Air Force pilot from Jharkhand.
The helicopter was certified airworthy by Squadron Leader Richa Adhikari, who is the unit engineering officer.
#Congratulations #Milestone : IAF Hails #WomanPower - F/L Parul Bhardwaj, F/O Aman Nidhi, F/L Hina Jaiswal became the first 'all woman' crew to fly a medium-lift IAF helicopter. S/L Richa Adhikari gave the pre-flight certification to the helicopter. https://t.co/C1EOrGCV7j pic.twitter.com/yG2SUCqMPf
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) May 27, 2019