Mumbai Oct. 21 :- With a view to enhance operational and administrative organizational structure, the erstwhile Maharashtra and Gujarat Naval Area has been divided to make two separate headquarters under Flag Officer Maharashtra Area and Flag Officer Gujarat Naval Area. The division of the Naval Areas was marked by Rear Admiral Satish Namdeo Ghormade, assuming of charge of Flag Officer Maharashtra Area from Rear Admiral Murlidhar Sadashiv Pawar this morning. Rear Admiral Murlidhar Sadashiv Pawar will officiate as Flag Officer Gujarat Naval Area.

Rear Admiral SN Ghormade was commissioned into the Indian Navy on 01 Jan 1984. He is a graduate of National Defence Acedamy (NDA), Khadakwasla, United States Naval Staff Collage at Naval War Collage, Newport, Rhode Island and the Naval War Collage, Mumbai. In addition to a specialization in Navigation and Direction within the Navy, the officer holds a Master Degree in Personnel Management from Symbosis Institute of Business Management (University of Pune), M Phil in Defence and Strategic Studies from University of Madras.

During his career spanning over 31 years, he has been through a myriad of operational and staff appointments. His operational appointments include commands of the Guided Missile Frigate INS Brahmaputra, Submarine Rescue Vessel INS Nireekshak, and Minesweeper INS Allepey and second in Command Guided Missile Frigate INS Ganga. His important staff appointments ashore include Assistant Chief of Personnel (Human Resource Development), Principal Director of Personnel, Director Naval Plans and Joint Director Naval Plans at Naval Headquarters as separate assignments, Director (Military Affairs) at the Ministry of External Affairs, Local Work Up Team (West), Instructor at Navigation Direction School and National Defence Academy. Upon promotion to the Flag Rank in 2012, the officer assumed the appointment of Assistant Chief of Personnel (HRD) and prior to this held the appointment of Flag Officer Commanding Karnataka Naval Area.

The officer is the recipient of the Nau Sena Medal in 2007 by the President of India and Commendation by Chief of Naval Staff in 2000. In pic Rear Admiral Satish Namdeo Ghormade (Front), assuming of charge of Flag Officer Maharashtra Area from Rear Admiral Murlidhar Sadashiv Pawar (in the background) this morning.