Rear Admiral Asthana appointed Asst Chief of Naval Staff (Air)

New Delhi, February 8

Rear Admiral Mukul Asthana has been appointed Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Air), the Navy announced on Thursday.

It also said Rear Admiral Shishir C Verma has taken over as the Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Special Submarine Projects) at the Integrated Headquarters of the Defence Ministry (Navy) here.

Rear Admiral Asthana is an experienced pilot who has flown four types of aircraft and has held operational and supervisory assignments in various naval air squadrons.

He had commanded INS Rajali, a premier Naval Air Station, from August 2009 till December 2010, during which he oversaw the implementation of plans for the induction of the Boeing P8I Long Range Maritime Reconnaissance aircraft.

On elevation to flag rank in 2016, Rear Admiral Asthana assumed the duties of Director General Project Varsha at New Delhi, where he was involved with the development of infrastructure for the Indian Navy.

Rear Admiral Verma is known for his expertise in submarine operations.

He has done his tenures on Foxtrot and kilo class submarines and has also served as executive officer of INS Sindhuratna and INS Sindhuraj and commanded INS Sindhukesari, INS Rajpur and INS Ranjit. — PTI