New Delhi: Taking a historic decision just a day before International Women’s Day, the Indian Air Force has handed over the command of a frontline combat unit to Group Captain Shaliza Dhami. Dhami is the first woman to have got this important responsibility. It is noteworthy that the post of Group Captain is equivalent to the Colonel of the Army.
Commissioned in the Indian Air Force in 2003, Dhami is a qualified flying instructor. He was appointed as a helicopter pilot. He also has 2800 hours of flying experience. She has also been the Commander of the Helicopter Unit in the Western Sector. Presently he is working in the Operations Branch of Frontline Command Headquarters.
Born in Ludhiana, Punjab, Dhami was promoted as Flight Lieutenant in 2005 and Squadron Leader in the year 2009. She will now oversee missile preparation and command control in sensitive border areas of the country. Dhami has also received appreciation for excellent work. He first flew solo in the year 2003 in a HAL HPT-32 Deepak.
It is worth mentioning that recently the army has started assigning important responsibilities to women officers. Captain Shiva Chauhan was posted in Siachen some time ago. Shiva is the first woman officer to reach there.
