Indian Defence Review

Exchange of baton between the outgoing and incoming Commander-in-Chief

In an impressive ceremonial parade held at the Naval base today, Vice Admiral Sunil Lanba, PVSM, AVSM, took over charge as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Southern Naval Command from Vice Admiral SPS Cheema PVSM, AVSM, NM. The Parade was followed by the traditional ‘Pulling Out’ Ceremony in which the outgoing Commander-in-Chief, Vice Admiral SPS Cheema was ceremonially pulled out in a jeep by Flag Officers and Commanding Officers of Ships and Naval establishments of Kochi, amidst emotional ‘Jai’- ‘Jai’ by the men of Southern Naval Command.

Earlier in the day, Vice Admiral Lanba laid wreath at the War Memorial, prior to assuming command, as a tribute to the thousands of martyrs who had fought for the country. The Flag Officer, a native of Palwal in Haryana, who was the Vice Chief of Naval Staff prior to taking over as the FOC-in-C (South), had arrived in Kochi on 28 Mar15.

Vice Admiral Sunil Lanba inspecting the Guard of Honour presented during the ceremonial parade

In his farewell address Vice Admiral Cheema praised every member of the Southern Naval Command for their all round contribution. He expressed sincere gratitude to all for the unstinted support. He reminded everyone that, the SNC being a training Command, needs to continuously be on task be it peace or war. He urged everyone to extend the same support to Vice Admiral Sunil Lanba whom he termed as a visionary leader with head and heart.

Vice Admiral SPS Cheema PVSM, AVSM, NM will now assume the charge of the Flag Officer Commanding in Chief, Western Naval Command on 31 Mar 15 on the retirement of the present incumbent, Vice Admiral Anil Kumar Chopra.

Vice Admiral Sunil Lanba paying tributes to martyrs at the war memorial at Naval Base