Kochi. Vice Admiral Girish Luthra, AVSM VSM, took over charge as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief (FOC-in-C) of the Southern Naval Command from Vice Admiral Sunil Lanba, PVSM AVSM January 30.
On this occasion, an impressive ceremonial parade was held at the Naval base which was followed by the traditional ‘Pulling Out’ ceremony in which the outgoing Commander-in-Chief Vice Admiral Sunil Lanba was ceremonially pulled out in a jeep by Flag Officers and Commanding Officers of ships and naval establishments of Kochi, amid emotional ‘Jai’- ‘Jai’ by the men of Southern Naval Command.
Prior to assuming command, Vice Admiral Luthra laid wreath at the War Memorial as a tribute to the thousands of martyrs who had fought for the country. The Flag Officer, a native of Haryana, had arrived in Kochi a day before on January 29.
In his farewell address, outgoing FOC-in-C Vice Admiral Lanba reminded everyone particularly the personnel under training that it was incumbent upon them to utilise the top class training being accorded to them towards becoming excellent professionals in the service of the country. The Parade was witnessed by many senior officers, men and families of Southern Naval Command.
Vice Admiral Sunil Lanba will now assume the charge of the Flag Officer Commanding in Chief, Western Naval Command at Mumbai January 31 on the superannuation of the present incumbent Vice Admiral SPS Cheema, who had also served as the FOC-in-C (South) earlier.
