Vice Admiral Surinder Pal takes over as chief of Western Naval Command

Vice Admiral Surinder Pal Singh Cheema took over the reins of Western Naval Command as Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief from Vice Admiral Anil Chopra at a ceremonial parade held at INS Shikra. Later in the day, Officers of the Western Naval Command accorded Vice Admiral Chopra a warm send off, with the traditional ‘Pulling Out’ ceremony, marking the completion of his four decades plus service to the nation and the Navy.

Vice Admiral Cheema has a very good grip of the command as he has had the experience and exposure of serving at Mumbai in various capacities over the last four decades or so. Of the five frontline and prestigious ships that he has commanded three have been at Mumbai. 

“These have been the Missile Boat INS Nishank, the Guided Missile Frigate INS Trishul and the only aircraft carrier the Indian Navy had at that time, INS Viraat. Vice Admiral Cheema then went on to command the Sword Arm of the Indian Navy – the Western Fleet which was followed by his appointment as the Chief of Staff of the Western Naval Command,” said a naval spokesperson.