On December 8, 2023, 17 naval officers completed a 21-week helicopter conversion training at Naval Air Station INS Rajali in Arakkonam, earning their pilot’s license. The 101st helicopter conversion course, which comprised intense ground and flight training at the Helicopter Training School (HTS), came to an end with this event.
In recognition of the graduates’ successful completion of the training program, Eastern Naval Command Chief of Staff Vice Admiral Sameer Saxena gave them the coveted Golden Wings.
For taking first position in flying, Lt PV Dheeraj Varma was awarded the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command Rolling Trophy.
For his superiority in ground subjects, Lt. Ravi Prakash received the Sub Lieutenant Kunte Memorial Book Prize.
For overall distinction, Lt. Nishant K. Vishwakarma was awarded the Governor of Kerala Rolling Trophy.
With 828 pilots trained from the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, and allies, the Helicopter Training School has a distinguished past. The recently certified pilots will be assigned to different Indian Navy operational units to take part in vital tasks including search and rescue, surveillance, and reconnaissance.
