BAF gets first female combat pilots

For the very first time in the history of Bangladesh, two female officers of Bangladesh Air Force were commissioned as combat pilots at BAF Base Bir Sreshto Matiur Rahman in Jessore this afternoon.

The commissioned BAF pilots are: Flight Lieutenant Nayma Haque and Flying Officer Tamanna-E-Lutfy.

"This is a milestone and a historic moment, not only for the BAF but also for the country itself," Group Capt Habibur Rahman, officer commanding of Operation's Wing of the BAF base, told The Daily Star.

"I hope it will encourage the youth community of the country. Earlier, we have seen many Bangladeshi female civil aviation pilots, but they are the maiden Bangladeshi female combat pilots who get commissioned," he added.

Flight Lieutenant Nayma Haque and Flying Officer Tamanna-E-Lutfy

Nayma and Tamanna received their combat pilot badges around 1:35pm from Air Commodore Sayed Hossain, air officer commanding of the BAF base, after a solo flying session of Bell 206, a utility and training helicopter, in Jessore BAF airbase.

Post by Nayma Haque Nitu.

Both the pilots had to take a rigid, six-month training before receiving their pilot badges.

Nayma and Tamanna expressed their deep gratitude towards almighty, their parents and the BAF. They also expressed hope to serve the country with their merits and training.

Pilot Officer Tamanna-E-Lutfy, GD (P), Bangladesh Air Force completes her first ever solo flight in Bangladesh by Bell-206 helicopter at BAF Base Bir Sreshto Matiur Rahman on November 21. Photo: ISPR

Two more female combat pilots are scheduled to start their flight trainings from January next year, Air Commodore Sayed said.