India: Admiral Chopra Takes Over as Flag Officer Commanding in Chief, Eastern Naval Command

 Vice Admiral Anil Chopra, AVSM took over as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command at a Ceremonial Parade held at the Naval Base, Visakhapatnam on 31 Oct 11.  

Vice Admiral Chopra inspected the Ceremonial Guard and reviewed platoons of  Naval personnel drawn from  various ships and establishment of the Eastern Naval Command. The Parade was commanded by Commander Aasheesh Khanna, Executive Officer, INS Jalashwa and comprised of 24 platoons. Flag Officers, Commanding Officers, a large number of officers, sailors and their families witnessed the Parade. The Eastern Seaboard has grown in prominence over the years, as is witnessed by the enhanced interaction with India’s immediate neighbours like Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and other states of South East Asia.
Commissioning of new LST (L)s, FACs, Air Squadrons, Air Stations and launch of the first indigenous strategic submarine at  Visakhapatnam have all firmly brought the Eastern Naval Command at the center stage, in consonance with the ‘Look-East’ policy of our country. Vice Admiral Chopra takes over the prestigious Command from Vice Admiral Anup Singh who would be retiring on 31 Oct 11.

Vice Admiral Chopra had earlier served in  the capacity of the  Chief of Staff, Headquarters, Eastern Naval  Command. It was during this  tenure in Feb 06 that Visakhapatnam was witness to the prestigious Presidents Fleet Review, a maiden venture on the countries Eastern Seaboard and a feather in the cap for the Command as well as the City.

Vice Admiral Anup Singh was  given a fond farewell by the officers and men of Eastern Naval Command, following his retirement from service after a distinguished career spanning over 38 years. During Vice Admiral Anup Singh’s tenure a number of new acquisitions and infrastructural development took place which added to the three dimensional capability of the Navy. Commissioning of Fast Attack Craft INS Cora Divh, Cheriyam, Kondul, Cankarso and Koswari adding teeth to the Coastal Security set up, Stealth Frigate INS Shivalik and Tanker INS Shakti enhancing the fighting prowess and reach of the Eastern Fleet, were some of the defining moments of the preceding twenty six months under his stewardship.

[mappress]
Source: indiannavy, November 01, 2011