Wed Sep 18 01:37:31 UTC 2024: ## First Woman Fighter Pilot to Join Elite ‘Flying Bullets’ Squadron
Jodhpur, India: Squadron Leader Mohana Singh has made history by becoming the first woman fighter pilot to join the prestigious 18 “Flying Bullets” squadron, operating India’s indigenously built LCA Tejas fighter jets. This achievement marks a significant milestone in the Indian Air Force’s commitment to gender equality and empowerment.
Singh, one of the first female fighter pilots in India, was previously flying MiG-21s before being posted to the LCA squadron based in Naliya air base, Gujarat. Her remarkable journey began as part of the first group of three women to become fighter pilots in the IAF, alongside Squadron Leaders Bhawna Kanth and Avni Chaturvedi, who are now flying Su-30 MKI fighter jets in the western desert.
During the recent “Tarang Shakti” exercise in Jodhpur, Singh played a crucial role in a historic flight with the Vice Chiefs of the Indian Army and Navy. She instructed them on the workings of the LCA Tejas fighter jet, preparing them for their flight experience. Air Marshal Amar Preet Singh, Vice Chief of the IAF, flew solo in the LCA Tejas, while the other two Vice Chiefs flew the trainer variants with two fighter pilots.
This joint exercise, with the participation of leading world air forces including the US, Greece, Sri Lanka, and Australia, highlighted the Indian defense forces’ commitment to “Make in India” initiatives. The event also served as a demonstration of India’s advanced air capabilities and the growing role of women in the country’s military.
Since the government opened the fighter stream for women in 2016, the IAF now boasts approximately 20 women fighter pilots, paving the way for greater inclusivity and diversity in the force. Squadron Leader Mohana Singh’s groundbreaking achievement serves as a powerful inspiration for aspiring women pilots and a testament to the Indian Air Force’s evolving landscape.
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