Sunil Lanba takes over as new FOC-in-C of Navy's southern command

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.

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, was the Vice Chief of Naval Staff prior to taking over as the FOC-in-C (South).

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 the retirement of the present incumbent, Vice Admiral Anil Kumar Chopra.