ENC gets new FOC-in-C

Vice Admiral Sanjay Bhalla on Friday assumed charge as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command at an impressive ceremonial parade here.

The post fell vacant upon superannuation of Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar. Vice Admiral Sanjay Bhalla inspected ceremonial guard and reviewed platoons of Naval and DSC personnel represented by various ships and establishments of the Command.

The ceremony was attended by all Flag Officers and Commanding Officers of ships, submarines and establishments.

He was commissioned in the Indian Navy on 01 Jan 1989. In a career spanning 36 Years, he has held a number of Command and Staff appointments, both afloat and ashore. After completion of his specialisation Course in Communication and Electronic Warfare, he served as specialist onboard several frontline warships.

He subsequently had the privilege and opportunity of holding challenging Command at sea, which include, INS Nishank, INS Taragiri, INS Beas and the coveted appointment of Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet (FOCEF). During the tenure as FOCEF, he was the Officer in Tactical Command for the prestigious President's Fleet Review (PFR-22) and the Sea Phase of Indian Navy's flagship multinational exercise MILAN-22, that witnessed an unprecedented participation form Friendly Foreign Countries.

The new chief of ENC has held important staff appointments ashore, including ACOP (HRD) at Naval Headquarters, Chief of Staff, Western Naval Command, Director MDCC and a diplomatic assignment overseas.

Prior to assuming Charge as FOC-in-C (East), he was the Chief of Personnel (COP) at Naval Headquarters. As COP, he held transformative HR reforms, streamlining recruitment, training advancements and driven holistic wellness and community programs for Indian Navy Personnel.