Vice-Admiral Vijay Shankar to takeover A

Port Blair, Aug 25 (UNI) Vice-Admiral Vijay Shankar, presently the Commander-in-Chief of Strategic Force Command (SFC) is likely to takeover Andaman and Nicobar command on September 30.

An alumnus of 34th NDA course, he will takeover Air Marshal S Radhakrishnan.

He was commissioned in the Indian Navy on January 1, 1970.

A specialist in navigation and direction, he holds an MSc in defence studies and is a graduate of the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, Naval Higher Command Course and the Naval War College at New Port, US an official release here today said.

The release said he held a variety of staff appointments including Deputy Director in the erstwhile Directorate of Combat Policy and Tactics, Director at Maritime Warfare Centre, Chief Instructor in Navigation and Direction School(K), Senior Instructor at the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington and Director of staff requirements at naval headquarters.

His afloat appointments include specialist tenures onboard various fleet ships, Commissioning Navigator of INS Ghorpad and INS Rana.

His sea commands include commanding officer of INS Panaji in 1973, INS Himgiri in 1987, INS Ganga 1993 and command of the aircraft carrier INS Viraat in 1995.

He took over command of the 'Sword Arm' of the Navy as the Flag Officer commanding western fleet in January 2003.

His operational experience is backed by active service during the Indo-Pak war of 1971, command of INS Himgiri during operation 'Pawan' and Chief of Staff Southern Naval command during operation 'Vijay'.

He is a recipient of the Param and Ati Vishisht Seva Medals, the release added.

UNI SKR RH PD HT1835