A historic passing out parade was held on June 7, 2024, at the Naval Air Station INS Rajali to mark the graduation of the 102nd Helicopter Conversion Course (HCC) and the completion of Stage I training of the 4th Basic Helicopter Conversion Course (BHCC).

In a momentous occasion, 21 officers, including three from the 4th BHCC, were awarded the prestigious “Golden Wings” by Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command. Additionally, three officers from the 4th Basic Conversion Course (BCC) successfully completed their Stage I training.

The parade marked the culmination of an intensive 22-week training program encompassing rigorous flying and ground training at the Indian Naval Air Squadron 561, the alma mater of all helicopter pilots of the Indian Navy.

In a landmark achievement for gender inclusivity and expanding career opportunities for women in the Indian Navy, Sub Lieutenant Anamika B Rajeev graduated as the ‘First Woman Naval Helicopter Pilot’. Another notable graduate was Lieutenant Jamyang Tsewang, the first commissioned naval officer from the Union Territory of Ladakh, who also qualified as a helicopter pilot.

The FOCinC, Eastern Naval Command Rolling Trophy for the trainee pilot standing first in order of merit in flying was awarded to Lieutenant Gurkirat Rajput. The Sub Lieutenant Kunte Memorial Book Prize for standing first in order of merit in ground subjects was awarded to Lieutenant Nitin Sharan Chaturvedi. The Governor of Kerala Rolling Trophy for first in overall order of merit was awarded to Lieutenant Deepak Gupta.

Helicopter Training School, with a rich heritage spanning more than five decades, has trained 849 pilots from the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, and friendly foreign nations. The school, located at INS Rajali, Arakkonam, is presently commanded by Commodore Kapil Mehta, with Commander Archesh leading the Helicopter Training School.

The school’s safe and conducive training environment, coupled with meticulous planning and execution, ensures the completion of courses “on time, every time”. The newly qualified pilots of the 102nd HCC will be appointed to various frontline operational units of the Indian Navy, where they will undertake diverse missions such as reconnaissance, surveillance, search and rescue, and anti-piracy operations. The officers of the 4th BHCC, having successfully completed Stage I training, will proceed to Stage II training at the Helicopter Training School.