New Delhi, Oct 17: Vice Admiral Arun Prakash, a highly decorated naval officer, today took over as the new Vice Chief of Naval Staff. Admiral Prakash, who is in line to become the next naval chief in succession to Admiral Madhavendra Singh, has had the distinction of commanding the country's only tri-service command at Andamans as well as being the flag officer Commanding-in-Chief of Western Naval Command at Mumbai. Prakash, who has logged 2500 flying hours on sea-hocks, was decorated with Vir Chakra in the 1971 Indo-Pak conflict for flying IAF fighter bombers. He is also a recipient of Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal. He also has had the distinction of commanding the aircraft carrier INS Virat. Bureau Report