New Delhi: Rear Admiral Vikram Menon, VSM, has taken over as the Flag Officer Commanding Goa Area (FOGA) and Flag Officer Naval Aviation (FONA). He has succeeded 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 2000 hours of flying experience, he has flown the Sea Harrier aircraft extensively from INS Viraat. He also served as the Senior Pilot of INAS 300 and commanded INAS 552.

Rear Admiral Menon was awarded the Vishisht 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 Naval Headquarters. His Staff appointments include Director of Aircraft Acquisition at Naval Headquarters and Chief Staff Officer (Air) at Headquarters Naval Aviation. /BI/