New Delhi: Reflecting increasing role and prominence of female officers in the armed forces, the Indian Air Force (IAF) contingent marching at the Republic Day parade will be led by four women officers.
"The IAF marching contingent comprising four officers and 144 Airmen will be commanded by Flight Lieutenant Sneha Shekhawat," IAF spokesperson Wing Commander Gerard Gallway said.
The other three women officers in the contingent are Flying Officer Heena Pore, Anupam Chaudhary and Pooja Negi.
The spokesperson said women officers have achieved various feats including that of Squadron leader Veena Saharan who became the first woman military aviatior to land Ilyushin-76 transport aircraft at Leh airport last month.
Saharan also holds the record for being the first women IAF pilot to fly the heavy-duty transport aircraft in the service.
"Saharan got cleared for landing at Leh last month and became the first woman officer to land a military multi engine aircraft at the high altitude airfield," IAF spokesperson Sqn Ldr Priya Joshi said.
"Since her first landing, she has been regularly undertaking air maintenance operations independently in the northern sector, a unique feat," she added.
Another transport aircraft pilot Sqn Ldr Teji Uppal has achieved the feat of being the first woman pilot to land An-32 aircraft at Doulat Beg Oldi (DBO).
DBO is the highest Advanced Landing Ground in the world at 16,500 feet and by landing there, Uppal has become the only woman aviator who is qualified to fly independently in almost all the forward bases of this country.
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