Vice Admiral Girish Luthra today succeeded Sunil Lanba as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command.<br/><br/>Vice Admiral Luthra took over the reins from Vice Admiral Lanba in a ceremonial parade in Mumbai Monday morning.<br/><br/>Vice Admiral Lanba will take over as the Chief of Naval Staff in New Delhi tomorrow. <br/><br/>Addressing the personnel on parade, Vice Admiral Lanba complimented the personnel of the command who, notwithstanding the constrains of the service, have worked with synergy and teamwork in ensuring that ships, submarines and aircrafts are maintained in a high state of combat readiness at all times.<br/><br/>In keeping with the fragile maritime environment of the region, he said that, there is a need to be ever vigilant in all quarters and all fronts.<br/><br/>Before taking over as Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Western Command, Vice Admiral Luthra served as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Southern Naval Command.<br/><br/>He is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy in Pune, the Defence Services Staff College in Wellington and Naval Command Naval War College, USA.<br/><br/>Luthra was awarded Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2012 and Vishisht Seva Medal in 2008.<br/><br/>