Flag Officer Commanding Karnataka Naval Area Explained

Post:Flag Officer Commanding
Karnataka Naval Area
(FOK)
Flag:File:Rear_Admiral_ensign_of_Indian_Navy.svg
Flagsize:150
Flagborder:yes
Flagcaption:Flag of the FOK (Rear Admiral's flag)
Incumbent:Rear Admiral K. M. Ramakrishnan, VSM
Incumbentsince:1 April 2023
Department:Indian Navy
Abbreviation:FOK
Reports To:Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Naval Command
Seat:Karwar
First:Commodore K. P. Ramachandran (as COMINKAR)

Flag Officer Commanding Karnataka Naval Area (FOK) is a senior appointment in the Indian Navy. One of the five Area Commanders of the Indian Navy, the FOK is a two star admiral holding the rank of Rear Admiral. The FOK is responsible for the operations and administration of all units and establishments in Karnataka, including the Naval Base Karwar. The Current FOK is Rear Admiral K. M. Ramakrishnan, VSM, who assumed office on 1 April 2023.

History

In 1999, following Pokhran-II, then Defence Minister George Fernandes approved Project Seabird to pursue the construction of the new naval base at Karwar in the state of Karnataka. The first phase of construction of the base was completed in 2005 and the base was commissioned on 31 May 2005.[1]

Headquarters Karnataka Naval Area (HQKNA) thus came into being on 31 May 2005. Commodore K. P. Ramachandran, VSM was appointed the first Commodore-in-Charge Karwar (COMINKAR). The COMINKAR also discharged the duties of Naval Officer-in-Charge Karnataka (NOIC (KTK)) and Commanding Officer INS Kadamba. After three incumbents serving as COMINKAR, the billet was upgraded to two-star rank and rechristened Flag Officer Commanding Karnataka Naval Area (FOK) in 2011. Rear Admiral Atul Kumar Jain was the first FOK who took over on 3 October 2011.

Organisation

The FOK is assisted by the NOIC (KTK), a one-star appointment. The NOIC (KTK) also serves as the chief staff officer at Headquarters Karnataka Naval Area (HQKNA). The FOK is responsible to the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Naval Command for the operations and administration of all units and establishments in Karnataka. This includes all ships and submarines based at the Karwar Naval Base as well.[2] [3] The establishments under the FOK include:[4]

List of Commanders

S.No. NameAssumed officeLeft officeNotes
Commodore-in-Charge Karwar (COMINKAR)
1Commodore K. P. Ramachandran 31 May 200526 April 2007First COMINKAR.
2Commodore C. G. Silar Khan 27 April 200731 August 2009[5]
3Commodore Rajiv Jaswal1 September 20093 October 2011[6]
Flag Officer Commanding Karnataka Naval Area (FOK)
43 October 20118 August 2013First FOK. Later Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Naval Command and Chief of Integrated Defence Staff.[7] [8]
5Rear Admiral C. S. Murthy 10 August 201326 March 2015[9]
627 March 201518 October 2015 Later Vice Chief of the Naval Staff.[10] [11]
719 October 2015 11 October 2016Later Flag Officer Defence Advisory Group.[12] [13]
8Rear Admiral K. J. Kumar 11 October 201629 March 2019Later Flag Officer Commanding Tamil Nadu & Puducherry Naval Area.[14]
9Rear Admiral Mahesh Singh 30 March 201919 December 2021Later Flag Officer Defence Advisory Group.[15]
1020 December 202130 March 2023Current Additional Secretary of the Department of Military Affairs.[16]
111 April 2023PresentCurrent FOK.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: INS Kadamba. Indian Navy. 8 July 2013.
  2. Web site: Rear Admiral KM Ramakrishnan takes charge as Flag Officer of Karnataka Naval Area . . 4 September 2023.
  3. Web site: Change of Command - Flag Officer Commanding Karnataka Naval Area (FOK) Indian Navy . indiannavy.nic.in . 7 September 2023.
  4. Web site: WNC Authorities & Units Indian Navy . indiannavy.nic.in . 7 September 2023.
  5. Web site: Key installations make the coast vulnerable . The New Indian Express . 7 September 2023.
  6. Web site: Phase-I work of Naval Base in full swing . The New Indian Express . 7 September 2023.
  7. Web site: Vice Admiral Atul Kumar Jain taking over as Chief of Staff, Eastern Naval Command . indiannavy.nic.in . 7 September 2023.
  8. Web site: Naval bicycle expedition . The Times of India . 7 September 2023 . 19 March 2012.
  9. Web site: Karwar: Rear Admiral C S Murthy, former Director General, Sea Bird assumed command as the Flag Officer Commanding Karnataka Naval Area. . The Times of India . 7 September 2023 . 11 August 2013.
  10. Web site: Karnataka shows interest in ‘INS Viraat’ museum . BusinessLine . 7 September 2023 . en . 21 July 2015.
  11. Web site: Dakshina Kannada district sent a proposal to government of Karnataka with reference to Rear Admiral SN Ghormade, NM, Flag Officer Commanding, Headquarters, Karnataka Naval Area, Karwar, for the setting up of Aircraft Carrier Museum for INS VIRAAT at Mangaluru after its deconmissioning. . The Times of India . 7 September 2023 . 21 July 2015.
  12. Web site: Visit of Dr Ashton Carter, Secretary of Defense, USA to Karwar . indiannavy.nic.in . 7 September 2023.
  13. Web site: Naval Base Visit - Make in India impresses US defence secy . The Times of India . 7 September 2023 . 12 April 2016.
  14. Web site: Joint HADR Exercise commences at Naval Station Karwar . indiannavy.nic.in . 7 September 2023.
  15. Web site: Radm Mahesh Singh takes over as Flag Officer Commanding Karnataka Area . pib.gov.in . 7 September 2023.
  16. Web site: Change of Command - Flag Officer Commanding Karnataka Naval Area (FOK) . indiannavy.nic.in . 7 September 2023.

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