Meet Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, IAF Helicopter Pilot Who Led Operation Sindoor Briefing
Wing Commander Vyomika Singh is a distinguished helicopter pilot in the Indian Air Force (IAF)and a trailblazer for women in the Indian armed forces.
Wing Commander Vyomika Singh played a major role in Operation Sindoor following the Pahalgam Terror attack. She, along with Foreign Secretary Vikram Mishri and Colonel Sophia Qureshi, jointly led the media briefing for Operation Sindoor, a precisely planned and targeted strike on Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. This operation was conducted in the early hours of May 7, in response to the killing of 26 indians in Pahalagam.
Early Life and Inspiration
Vyomika's journey into the skies began with a childhood dream. Her name, which means 'one who lives in the sky," perfectly captures her ambition. Becoming a pilot was her dream since the sixth grade. Inspired by her passion for aviation, she joined the National Cadet Corps (NCC) during her school years and later pursued an engineering degree, becoming the first in her family to join the armed forces.
Career and achievements
Vyomika Singh was commissioned as a helicopter pilot in the Indian Air Force and received a permanent commission in the flying branch on December 18, 2019.
Over the years, she has accumulated more than 2,500 hours of flying time, piloting Chetak and Cheetah helicopters across some of India's most challenging terrains, including high-altitude missions in Jammu & Kashmir and the Northeast.
She has led numerous critical rescue operations, including one in Arunachal Pradesh in November 2020, where she showcased exceptional leadership in challenging high-altitude and adverse weather conditions. Additionally, she participated in the 2021 tri-services all-women mountaineering expedition to Mt. Manirang (21,650 feet). Her achievement was acknowledged by the Chief of Air Staff.
Her ambitious career trajectory highlights the growing role of women in leadership positions within India's defence forces.
Awards and honours
For her bravery and professionalism, Wing Commander Singh has received commendations from the Chief of Air Staff and the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of an operational command, solidifying her status as a role model for aspiring women in the defence forces.
On May 7, 2025, Wing Commander Singh co-anchored the media briefing for Operation Sindoor, a targeted strike against nine terrorist bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. This operation, conducted in response to the Pahalgam terror attack, highlighted her role not just as a pilot but as a frontline spokesperson for the IAF.
Operation Sindoor, launched in response to the Pahalgam attack, saw India execute precision strikes on terrorist bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Precision-guided munitions, air-to-ground missiles, and drones were used to target key strongholds of Jaish-e-Mohammed (Jem) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). While Pakistan acknowledged explosions, it denied the existence of terror camps, condemning the operation. Indian officials maintained the action was in self-defence, with estimates suggesting 80 to 90 terrorists neutralised.
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