Philipose G Pynumootil is new Asst Chief of Naval staff (Air)

New Delhi: Rear Admiral Philipose G Pynumootil on Monday took over as Assistant Chief of Naval staff (Air).

An alumnus of the Lawrence School, Lovedale, and the National Defence Academy, he was commissioned in the Indian Navy on January 1, 1986.

A rotary wing pilot, he has has flown extensively during Operation Pawan, Sri Lanka, and Operation Restore Hope, Somalia, a Navy statement said.

Prior to taking over his current appointment, he served as the Principal Director of Aircraft Acquisition.

The Flag officer has commanded the 1241 RE corvette, INS Nashak, the missile corvette INS Kirpan and the Guided Missile Frigate INS Brahmaputra, besides doing a tenure as Executive Officer of the Guided Missile Destroyer INS Delhi.

Hailing from a service background, his (late) father, a fighter pilot, retired as an Air Marshal in 1987. His elder brother was Naval Aviator who died in an Islander crash in 1985. His sister is married to a Brigadier from the Armoured Corps.