The Navy created history in November 2009 by inducting two women officers in combat roles offering a short service entry scheme. Sub-Lieutenants Ambica Hooda and Seema Rani Sharma, who enrolled as observers — airborne tacticians in military parlance — are now serving on the Navy's maritime patrol aircraft in Goa as Electronic Warfare Sensor Officers.
Now, on Saturday, the first all-women batch of observers comprising four officers, will earn their “wings” at a passing out parade at Naval Air Station INS Garuda at the Southern Naval Command here.
Also, a batch of observers on permanent commission and an officer of the Sri Lankan Navy will pass out from the portals of the Observer School under INS Garuda.
Observers play a key role on maritime patrol aircraft such as the Dornier, IL-38 or TU-142 by operating the radar, sensor and electronic warfare systems and anti-submarine warfare systems. On IL-38 and TU-142, medium and long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft, they operate the weapons too. They also carry out operations for independent search and tracking besides coordinating with the Air Force.
The women officers passing out on Saturday have completed 27 weeks of arduous training on the Dorniers operated by INS Garuda. Before being detailed for training here, the Short Service Commission officers had trained at the Naval Academy and at various professional schools of the Navy.
Commodore M.R. Ajayakumar, Commanding Officer of INS Venduruthy and Naval Officer In-Charge Kerala, will be the chief guest at the passing out ceremony.
