NAVAL PASSING OUT PARADE SPRING TERM 2016

The Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Dalbir Singh reviewed the Passing Out Parade of the 90th Indian Naval Academy Course INAC (BTech) and 90th Indian Naval Academy Course INAC (MSc) Courses at an impressive ceremony at Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala on 28 May 2016. 234 cadets of Indian Navy, 64 cadets of Indian Coast Guard and three cadets from friendly foreign countries passed out of the portals of the INA, on successful completion of their training. The ‘President’s Gold Medal’ for the Indian Naval Academy BTech course was awarded to Squadron Cadet Captain Keval Krishan. The ‘Chief of the Naval Staff Gold Medal’ for the Naval Orientation (Extended) Course was awarded to Cadet Sidharth Gupta. The ‘Chief of the Naval Staff Gold Medal’ for the Naval Orientation (Regular) Course was awarded to Cadet Rukshar Baby. She was also awarded the ‘Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief (South) Gold Medal’ for being adjudged the Best Woman Trainee of the course. On completion of the parade, the ‘Shipping of Stripes’ ceremony was conducted. The proud parents and guardians of the Passing Out cadets shipped the Naval / Coast Guard epaulettes, popularly known as ‘Stripes’ on the shoulders of their wards, thus symbolising their transformation from ‘cadets’ into full-fledged Naval / Coast Guard Officers. The Reviewing Officer and other dignitaries shipped the stripes of the medal winners.

NAVY BIDS ADIEU TO INS VIRAAT
On the Afternoon of 23 June, India’s majestic aircraft carrier INS Viraat, set sail for the last time from Mumbai for Kochi. This is the last time that this iconic ship will sail under her own propulsion before it is decommissioned. Escorting theCarrier out of harbour were Fast Interceptor Craft and helicopters from the Western Naval Command. Prior to is departure, the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Naval Command, Vice Admiral Girish Luthra, along with other senior officers of the command, visited the ship and interacted with the crew. INS Viraat played a major role in Operation Jupiter in 1989 (Indian Peace Keeping operations in Sri Lanka) and Operation Vijay in 1999 (Kargil War). She has been an integral element of all major naval exercises, and participated in various international joint exercises like Malabar (with US Navy), Varuna (with French Navy) and Naseem-Al-Bahar (with Oman Navy). Commissioned into the Indian Navy on 12 May 1987, the ship operated Sea Harrier (White Tigers – fighter aircraft), Seaking 42B (Harpoons – Anti Submarine helicopters) & Seaking 42C (Commando Carrier helicopters) and Chetak (Angles – SAR helicopter) as her main air elements. The Sea Harrier fleet was also recently decommissioned at Goa in May 2016. It was an emotional moment for the Navy, as INS Viraat left Naval Dockyard Mumbai, for one last time under own power. The ship will be towed back to Mumbai on completion of ERDD, for the decommissioning ceremony later this year.