Air Marshal PV Shivanand Felicitates 9 Women Officers After Historic Tri-Services Circumnavigation Voyage

Ahmedabad: Air Marshal PV Shivanand, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the South Western Air Command, today felicitated nine women officers who successfully completed the landmark Samudra Pradakshina expedition at Headquarters South Western Air Command in Ahmedabad.

The officers formed the crew of the first-ever Tri-Services All-Women Circumnavigation Sailing Expedition. Drawn from the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force, they completed the voyage aboard the Indian Army Sailing Vessel (IASV) Triveni.

The expedition lasted 314 days and covered nearly 25,500 nautical miles across four oceans. The crew faced substantial physical and mental challenges throughout the journey.

Air Marshal Shivanand described the achievement as a powerful symbol of Nari Shakti and Tri-Service jointness. He praised the officers for their determination, leadership, teamwork and mental resilience.

During the felicitation, the officers shared experiences and key lessons from the voyage, particularly on teamwork, leadership and perseverance under demanding conditions.

The successful completion of Samudra Pradakshina underscores the expanding role of women in challenging operational and expeditionary assignments within the Armed Forces. Air Marshal Shivanand said the officers’ accomplishment would inspire young women to pursue ambitious goals and overcome conventional barriers.