KOCHI: Vice Admiral Surinder Pal Singh Cheema assumed office as the Commander-in-Chief of the Southern Naval Command at a ceremonial parade held at INS Garuda here on Thursday.
Before taking charge, the Admiral laid wreath at the war memorial.
Vice Admiral Cheema had been serving as the Commander-in-Chief of the Strategic Forces Command, a Tri-Services Command responsible for all nuclear forces of the country. He has also served as the Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (CISC) to the Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee. The Southern Naval Command is his third posting as Commander-in-Chief since being promoted to the grade in August 2012.
An alumnus of the National Defence Academy (NDA), Khadakwasla, the Defence Services Staff College (DSSC), Wellington and the College of Naval Warfare (CNW), Mumbai, Vice Admiral Cheema was commissioned into the Indian Navy on January 1, 1977. He is a specialist in Missile and Gunner and spent majority of his time on afloat and operational appointments. Vice Admiral Cheema had been the commanding officer of five frontline ships of the Indian Navy- the missile boat INS Nishank, Mauritian Coast Guard OPV Vigilant, missile corvette INS Khanjar, stealth frigate INS Trishul and the prestigious aircraft carrier INS Viraat.
His appointments ashore include the Commandant of the Naval Academy and Commanding Officer INS Mandovi.
On promotion to the flag rank in May 2006, he was appointed ACNS, Information Warfare and Operations (IW & Ops) at the Naval headquarters. His other flag appointments include the Chief of Staff, Western Naval Command, Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet, Controller Personnel Services, IHQ MoD (Navy), DCIDS Perspective Planning and Force Development (PP&FD) and DCIDS (DOT). The Vice Admiral is a recipient of the Nau Sena Medal, AVSM, PVSM.