Captain Abhilasha Barak is an Indian army officer. He is famous for being the first combat helicopter pilot of India and the Indian Army.
Wiki/Biography
Abhilasha Barak was born in 1994 (age 28 years; in 2022) in Wellington, Tamil Nadu, India. Abhilasha belongs to a military family because of which he often moves from one place to another; as a result he finished his schooling in a different school. From 2008 to 2010, he was at Lawrence School, Sanawar. Later, from 2010 to 2012, Abhilasha studied at Tagore International School, Vasant Vihar, New Delhi. He completed class 12 from the same school. After completing his schooling in 2012, Abhilasha Barak joined the Delhi Technological University (DTU), from where he obtained a master’s degree in B Tech in Electronics and Communication Engineering. Abhilasha joined the Officer Training Academy in 2017.
Family
Captain Abhilasha Barak belongs to a family from Rohtak, Haryana.
Parents & Siblings
His father is a retired Indian Army officer. He retired with the rank of Colonel. He also has a brother; an Indian Army officer himself. He passed out from the Indian Military Academy in 2013.
Husband
Her marital status is unknown.
Career
Career before joining Indian Army
Abhilasha Barak is a very bright student. While he was pursuing his studies in Engineering, he was selected as an intern in several reputed private and government organizations. In 2014, Abhilasha was selected as an intern by India’s premier defense research institute, the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO). After working with DRDO, Abhilasha completed a short internship with the Department of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India. In 2015, Abhilasha Barak was selected by The Smart Cube, as an intern. After completing Engineering in 2016, Abhilasha Barak got a job in a multi-national company, Deloitte US, as a Business Technology Analyst.
Decision to join the Indian Army
Initially, Abhilasha Barak had no intention of joining the Indian Army as an officer. He changed his mind when his father, Colonel S. Om Singh, retired from the Indian Army and the entire family moved from military life to civilian life. His decision was further reinforced in 2013 when Abhilasha attended his brother’s passing out parade, which was held at the Indian Military Academy. While giving an interview, Abhilasha Barak stated,
I never realized it (that it was so different) until our family came out of military life, after my father’s retirement in 2011. That feeling got stronger after watching my brother’s passing out parade at the Indian Military Academy in 2013. That was the moment when I know what I want to do with the rest of my life.”
After working for a year with Deloitte US, Abhilasha decided to fill the form, to appear before the Service Selection Board (SSB). He cleared the selection process in his first attempt, after which Abhilasha joined the Officers Training Academy in Chennai.
Abhilasha Barak is undergoing training at the Officers Training Academy, Chennai
Career after joining Indian Army
After successfully completing his rigorous training on 07 September 2018, Abhilasha Barak was commissioned into the Air Defense Corps of the Army. After joining his unit, Abhilasha was sent to attend the Army Air Defense Junior Officer (YO) Course. In the course, he managed to get an ‘A’ grade. He was then sent to complete Air Traffic Management and Air Law Courses; course in which Abhilasha scored 75.70%. Abhilasha Barak always dreamed of becoming a helicopter pilot, therefore, he decided to participate in the pilot talent test. Abhilasha successfully cleared the Pilot Aptitude Battery Test (PABT) and the Computerized Pilot Selection System (CPSS), after which he was sent for training at the Combat Aviation Training School (CATS) in Nashik, Maharashtra. In an interview, Abhilasha said,
After completing my training from the Officers Training Academy, Chennai, in 2018, I opted for the Army Aviation Corps. When I filled out the form I knew I was only qualified for the ground duty role but I ended up stating that I had previously qualified the Pilot Proficiency Battery Test and the computerized pilot selection system all at once. Somewhere in my heart, I always knew that the day would soon come when the Indian Army would start inducting women as fighter pilots.”
Abhilasha Barak is wearing his pilot’s uniform
Joined the Indian Army Aviation Corps
Abhilasha Barak underwent six months of rigorous training at the Combat Army Aviation Training School (CATS). She completed her training on 25 May 2022. In 2021, out of a total of 15 applications from female officers from various branches of the Indian Army; Abhilasha Barak, along with another female officer, was shortlisted for pilot training. During the interview, the young pilot said,
Not many know about this, but in 1987, during Operation Meghdoot, my father led a patrol from Amar Post to Bana Top Post (earlier Quaid Post, when under Pakistani occupation). Due to bad weather, my father developed Cerebral Edema and was immediately taken back to Amar Post, from where he was transferred quickly, on time. He owes his life to the Army Aviation Corps and as such, so do I.”
Aviation wings are pinned to Ahilasha Barak’s uniform
After completing six months of training, Abhilasha Barak was posted as a pilot to the Indian Army’s Aviation Squadron 2072. The squadron primarily operates an armed variant of the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv, called the Rudra.
Abhilasha Barak stands with his fellow officers after successfully completing his pilot training
Awards, Honors, Achievements
In 2022, Captain Abhilasha Barak was awarded the Silver Cheetah Trophy for Excellence, for his outstanding performance in training.
Abhilasha Barak with the Silver Cheetah Trophy for Excellence
Facts/Trivia
- Abhilasha Barak was also selected as the Commander of the Air Defense Contingent of the Army, during the presentation of the Regimental Colours. The honor was presented by the President of India, Ram Nath Kovind.
- While undergoing training at the Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai, Abhilasha Barak learned Judo, a form of martial art, for which he was awarded merit.
- Abhilasha Barak follows his hobby of horse riding with passion.
- Abhilasha Barak, in his first attempt, passed the Part B exam; military promotion exam.
- Abhilasha Barak passed his training at the Combat Aviation Training School (CATS) with distinction. He stood first in the order of merit and was also awarded a medal for it.
Abhilasha Barak received a medal for standing first in the order of merit during his internship at CATS
Categories: Biography
Source: SCHOOL TRANG DAI
