In a historic turn of events Indian Air Force‘s Wing Commander Shaliza Dhami is the first female officer to become a Flight Commander. Dhami has been serving for the last 15 years and has been flying choppers. She has recently taken over as the Flight Commander of a Chetak helicopter unit at Hindon airbase.
As reported by ANI, Shaliza Dhami is a permanent commission officer of the flying branch in the Indian Air Force. She is now second in command of the unit after the Commanding Officer. Her elevation spells good news for the women officers as they move a step closer to commanding units and formations in the service.
Wing Commander Dhami, serving for 15 years now, became the first woman flying instructor of the Air Force. She is also the first woman officer to get a permanent commission of the flying branch. Dhami took charge of a Chetak helicopter unit at the Hindon Airbase in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh.
For the uninitiated, Chetak is a single-engine turboshaft, light utility helicopter with a capacity of 6 passengers and has a maximum speed of 220 km/hour.
As per Hindustan Aeronautics Limited(HAL) website, “The helicopter is suitable for commuting, cargo/material transport, casualty evacuation, Search & Rescue (SAR), Aerial Survey & MAybePatrolling, Emergency Medical Services, Off-shore operations and Underslung operations.”
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