Vice Admiral Jagjit Singh Bedi took over as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command from Vice Admiral Sangram Singh Byce, at an impressive ceremonial parade held at the Naval Air Station Kunjali on 31 July 07.
On arrival at the parade, VAdmiral JS Bedi, was received by VAdmiral SS Byce. The Admiral inspected a 50-man Guard of Honour with President’s Colours and the platoons on parade commanded by Cdr Sanjay Panda. He was introduced to the Flag Officers of the Command after which the outgoing Commander-in-Chief Vice Admiral SS Byce took the salute as the Platoons advanced in ‘Review Order’.
An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Admiral Bedi was commissioned in July 1969 and specialized in Communication and Electronic Warfare. He has the distinction of having commanded a ship in every rank, which includes the guided Missile Destroyer ‘INS Ranvir’ and the Aircraft Carrier ‘Viraat’. He was also an alumnus of Royal Naval Staff College, Greewich (UK) and the Naval War College, Rhode Island (USA).
VAdm JS Bedi has held various key appointments notable amongst them being Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Policy & Plans), Controller Warship Production & Acquisition and the Deputy Chief of Naval Staff at Naval Headquarters. He has the distinction of being the Chief of Staff, Western Naval Command at Mumbai during Operation ‘Vijay’ and eventually spearheaded the operations of the Western Fleet as Fleet Commander including ‘Operation Parakram’, the premier sword arm of the Navy during ‘Operation Parakram’. Prior to taking over the reins of the Navy’s operational Western Command, he was the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command at Kochi.
For his meritorious and distinguish service, Adm Bedi was awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM), Uttam Yudh Seva Medal (UYSM), Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) and Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM) for meritorious and distinguished service. He was appointed Honorary ADC to the President of India on 01 May 07.
After formally handing over ceremony was held at the Headquarters of the Western Naval Command. Later at the ‘Ceremonial Pulling Out’ by Senior Officers of the Western Naval Command accompanied by the Navy Band, VAdm Byce acknowledged the ‘Three Jai’s’ by Officers and sailors who had lined up on either side of the road to bid farewell on his retirement on superannuation after an illustrious career in the Navy spanning over 38 years.