Andaman & Nicobar Command Celebrates INAS 318 Anniversary with Maiden All-Women Maritime Mission

Port Blair: On the 40th anniversary of INAS 318 and International Women’s Day, the Andaman & Nicobar Command marked the occasion with a groundbreaking all-women maritime surveillance mission on March 8, 2024. The historic mission, carried out by the crew based at INS Utkrosh, featured Lt Cdr Shubhangi Swaroop, Lt Cdr Divya Sharma, and Lt Vaishali Mishra.

The event showcased the pivotal role played by women combatants within the Naval Air Arm, encompassing pre-flight briefing, meteorological briefing, medical check-ups, and Air Traffic Control (ATC) briefing – all conducted by women officers. This milestone underscores the commitment of the Andaman & Nicobar Command to providing equal opportunities to all genders and fostering gender neutrality within the Armed Forces. The successful completion of the mission serves as a testament to the capabilities of women to undertake independent operational tasks, highlighting their invaluable contributions to the nation’s defense and security.

INAS 318, the elite Naval Air squadron in the Andaman & Nicobar Command, has been actively engaged in surveillance roles since its commissioning on March 8, 1984. The squadron embarked on its journey with the induction of Islander aircraft, which were later replaced by Dornier aircraft in 1999. The Dornier aircraft is equipped for long-range maritime surveillance, featuring state-of-the-art Maritime Patrol Radars.