New Delhi, May 31 (IANS): Vice Admiral R.K. Pattanaik Saturday took over as the deputy chief of the Indian navy from Vice Admiral P.K. Chatterjee who has been appointed as commander-in-chief of the Andaman and Nicobar Command, an official release said.
Commissioned into the Indian Navy Jan 1, 1978, Pattanaik is an an alumnus of the National Defence Academy. A specialist in gunnery and missile warfare, he is a graduate of Defence Services Staff College, Wellington; Army War College, Mhow and National Defence College, New Delhi.
Prior to his elevation to the flag rank, he has commanded several vessels including an anti-submarine warfare corvette, two frigates and two destroyers.
Besides he has also served as the command gunnery officer and as an instructor at the DSSC.
Pattanaik was presently deputy chief of integrated defence staff (doctrine, organisation and training) at the IDS headquarters.