Capt. Abhilasha Barak Becomes Army Aviation Corps' 1st Female Combat Pilot

By: WE Staff | Wednesday, 25 May 2022

Captain Abhilasha Barak became the country's first female officer to enter the Army Aviation Corps as a Combat Aviator.

The Indian Army announced the milestone on Twitter, calling it a "Golden Letter Day" in the history of Indian Army Aviation.

Captain Abhilasha Barak was also "awarded the Coveted Wings along with 36 Army Pilots by Director General and Colonel Commandant Army Aviation," according to the Indian Army's Additional Directorate General of Public Information.

"Young aviators are now ready to spread their wings in Combat Aviation Squadrons," ADG-PTI stated in a statement following the award ceremony.

Previously, women officers in the Army Aviation Corps were only responsible for ground activities. The Army announced in June of last year that two female officers had been selected for helicopter pilot training for the first time.

The Army underlined, "Fifteen women officers volunteered to join the Army aviation. However, only two officers qualified after undergoing a stringent selection process that included the Pilot Aptitude Battery Test (PABT) and medicals."

According to reports, the officers would begin flying duties in July 2022 after completing their training in Nashik.

According to a Ministry of Defence release, the Army Aviation Corps has 29 female officers as of March this year.

The Army Aviation Corps was founded on November 1, 1986, according to the Indian Army's official website. The Corps was "immediately inducted into Operation Pawan," which was described as a "crucial test" for the newly established Corps.

According to the website, the Corps has been "responsible for saving hundreds of lives, as well as providing life-sustaining logistic assistance while operating continuously at super-high altitudes."