Another Glass Ceiling Broken: Wg Cdr Shaliza Dhami Becomes First Woman Flight Commander Of Flying Unit

Breaking yet another glass ceiling, Wing Commander Shaliza Dhami became the first female officer from the Indian Air Force to become the Flight Commander of a flying unit.

Flight Commander is second in terms of command of the unit.

Wg Cdr Dhami has several firsts to her name including being the first woman officer to get a permanent commission of the flying branch. She is also the first woman flying instructor of IAF.

First Woman Flight Commander Of Flying Unit

Wg Cdr Dhami, who has been serving in the forces for the last 15 years. She took over as Flight Commander of a Chetak helicopter unit at the Hindon airbase in Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh.

Chetak is a single-engine turboshaft light utility helicopter. It has a capacity of 6 passengers and can attain a maximum speed of 220 km/hour. It is suitable for ‘commuting, cargo/material transport, casualty evacuation, Search and Rescue (SAR), Aerial Survey and Patrolling, Emergency Medical Services, Off-shore operations and Underslung operations’.

Congratulations are in order for this officer from veterans and public alike who believe that this is a step closer towards more equality of opportunities in the defence forces.

Woman Officers Are Soaring High

Just recently, Sqn Ldr Minty Agarwal was awarded the Yudh Seva Medal, along with other personnel. The officer was part of the team of flight controllers who assisted in the Balakot airstrike.

After the historic induction of woman officer as fighter pilots in 2018, Avani Chaturvedi became the first woman to fly MiG 21 Bison solo.

Not just that, in May Flt Lt Mohana Singh, became the first woman to become operational on Hawk advanced jet aircraft.

In May this year, Flt Lt Bhawana Kanth scripted history by becoming the first day-time Indian woman fighter pilot, qualified to undertake missions on a fighter aircraft by day.

Last few years have seen great steps taken to make Indian defence forces more inclusive. The Logical Indian hopes that we see more of such ‘firsts’.

Also Read: Bhawana Kanth Creates History: Becomes 1st Woman Fighter Pilot To Be Qualified For Combat Missions