Date:26/01/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/01/26/stories/2008012658290300.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Satish Soni takes over as Fleet Commander

Staff Reporter

Satish Soni

VISAKHAPATNAM: The Eastern Naval Command was witness to yet another first in the history of the Indian Navy when the Command of the two Fleets – Western and Eastern – changed at sea on Friday.

While such occasions for a Fleet are common, this time the Western Fleet too was operating on the Eastern seaboard for a joint fleet exercise providing an opportunity for a change of guard on the high seas. During the ceremony, Rear Admiral Satish Soni took over as the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet from Rear Admiral R.K. Dhowan and Rear Admiral Anil K Chopra took over as the Flag Officer Commanding of the Western Fleet from Rear Admiral Shekar K. Sinha.

The new Fleet Commanders thereafter called on Vice Admiral Raman P. Suthan, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Naval Command at the Headquarters, ENC.

Rear Admiral Satish Soni is a specialist in navigation and direction and has held a number of prestigious appointments afloat and ashore. He is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy and the prestigious Defence Services Staff College.