Staff Reporter
Vasco
Rear Admiral Vikram Menon, VSM took over the duties of Flag Officer Commanding Goa Area (FOGA) and Flag Officer Naval Aviation (FONA) on Saturday from Rear Admiral Philipose G. Pynumootil, AVSM, NM, who retired on superannuation after a career spanning over 36 years in service.
Rear Admiral Menon is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy and the Naval War College and was commissioned into the Indian Navy on January
1, 1990.
An experienced fighter pilot and Qualified Flying Instructor with over 2,000 hours of flying experience, he has flown the Sea Harrier aircraft extensively from INS Viraat. He has also served as the Senior Pilot of INAS 300 and commanded INAS 552. He was awarded the Vishist Seva Medal in 2018 while commanding INS Hansa, a premier air station of the Indian Navy.
His afloat tenures include command of Fast Attack Craft INS Tillanchang, Offshore Patrol Vessel INS Sharda and the Fleet Tanker INS Shakti. He has also served as Executive Officer of the guided missile destroyer INS
Ranvijay.
Prior to taking over as FOGA, the Flag Officer held the appointment of Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Air) at the Naval Headquarters. His staff appointments include Director of Aircraft Acquisition at Naval Headquarters and Chief Staff Officer (Air) at Headquarters Naval Aviation.
Rear Admiral Pynumootil handed over the charge to Real Admiral Menon after a tenure spanning four years from February 2018 to April 2022, which saw an all-round improvement in military as well as assistance to the civil populace. During this time, the Indian Naval Aviation was awarded with the prestigious President’s Colour at a ceremony held at the INS Hansa in September 2021. Two new naval air squadrons – INAS 323, the ALH MK III helicopter squadron and INAS 316 operating P-8i aircraft – were commissioned in Goa, augmenting the Navy’s arsenal over the west coast.
Goa Naval Area has effectively reached out to the civilian population through community welfare measures as well as disaster relief during natural calamities. The proactive deployment of the Indian naval aircraft to support efforts of the state government in COVID-19 preventive measures was widely appreciated. The Naval Aviation Museum at Dabolim has also seen a major facelift recently.