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{{Short description|Area Commander of the Indian Navy}}
{{Infobox official post
| post = Flag Officer Naval Aviation (FONA)
| body =
| native_name =
| insignia =
| insigniasize =
| insigniacaption =
| flag = File:Rear_Admiral_ensign_of_Indian_Navy.svg
| flagsize = 150
| flagborder = yes
| flagcaption = Flag of the FONA (Rear Admiral's flag)
| image = File:RADM_AJAY_D_THEOPHILUS.jpg
| imagesize = 150
| alt =
| imagecaption =
| incumbent = [[Rear admiral (India)|Rear Admiral]] [[Ajay D. Theophilus]]
| acting =
| incumbentsince = 1 August 2023
| department = [[Indian Navy]]
| style =
| type =
| status =
| abbreviation = FONA
| member_of =
| reports_to = [[Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff (India)|Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff]]
| residence =
| seat = [[Goa]]
| nominator =
| appointer =
| appointer_qualified =
| termlength =
| termlength_qualified =
| constituting_instrument =
| precursor =
| formation =
| first = [[Rear admiral (India)|Rear Admiral]] R. V. Singh
| last =
| abolished =
| succession =
| unofficial_names =
| deputy =
| salary =
| website =
}}
'''Flag Officer Naval Aviation (FONA)''' is a senior appointment in the [[Indian Navy]]. A [[Two-star rank|two star]] admiral holding the rank of [[Rear admiral (India)|Rear Admiral]], the FONA is the class authority for all aviation matters an is responsible for all aviation training and maintenance activity. Since 1987, the billet has been dual-hatted by the [[Flag Officer Commanding Goa Naval Area]] (FOGA). The current FONA is [[Rear admiral (India)|Rear Admiral]] [[Ajay D. Theophilus]], who assumed office on 1 August 2023.

==History==
After the [[Liberation of Goa]] and its absorption into the Indian Union in 1961, a naval detachment was established at [[Vasco da Gama, Goa|Vasco]] in January 1962. This detachment grew and was commissioned as INS Gomantak in March 1964. In June that year, the [[naval air station]] [[INS Hansa]] moved from [[Sulur]] to [[Dabolim]]. With the development of establishments and naval infrastructure, the post of Naval Officer-in-Charge Goa (NOIC Goa) was created.{{sfn|Singh|1992}}<ref>{{cite web |title=INS HANSA MARKS DIAMOND JUBILEE ON 05 SEP 21 |url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1752311 |website=pib.gov.in |access-date=7 May 2025}}</ref>

In 1977, the appointment of NOIC Goa was upgraded to [[Rear admiral (India)|Rear Admiral]] and re-designated Flag Officer Commanding Goa Naval Area (FOGA). Rear Admiral [[R. H. Tahiliani]], [[AVSM]] took over as the first FOGA on 30 December 1977.{{sfn|Hiranandani|2000}}

In 1986, it was proposed to rationalise the command and control of the [[Indian Naval Air Arm|naval air arm]] by creating the appointment of Flag Officer Naval Aviation (FONA). The FONA would be responsible for all aviation training and maintenance activity and act as the class authority for all aviation matters. The operational deployment of all aviation units would continue to be controlled and directed by the respective commanders-in-chief. With Goa being the home of the naval air arm, FOGA was the natural choice to also serve as the FONA. In March 1986, the serving FOGA Rear Admiral R. V. Singh assumed the appointment of FONA as well. Since then the FOGA has dual-hatted as the FONA.{{sfn|Hiranandani|2005}}{{sfn|Hiranandani|2009}}

==List of Commanders==
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! scope="col" style="width: 20px;"|S.No.
! scope="col" style="width: 350px;" | Name
! scope="col" style="width: 150px;" | Assumed office
! scope="col" style="width: 150px;" | Left office
! scope="col" style="width: 500px;" | Notes
|-
|1
|[[Rear admiral (India)|Rear Admiral]] R. V. Singh {{small|{{post-nominals|country=IND|sep=,|AVSM}}}}
|4 March 1986
|31 December 1987
|
|-
|2
|[[Rear admiral (India)|Rear Admiral]] S. Ramsagar {{small|{{post-nominals|country=IND|VrC|NM}}}}
|11 June 1988
|27 December 1989
|
|-
|3
|[[Rear admiral (India)|Rear Admiral]] P. A. Debrass {{small|{{post-nominals|country=IND|AVSM|NM}}}}
|27 December 1989
|30 November 1993
|
|-
|4
|[[Rear admiral (India)|Rear Admiral]] [[Vinod Pasricha]] {{small|{{post-nominals|country=IND|sep=,|NM}}}}
|27 December 1993
|4 January 1995
|Later [[Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Naval Command]] and [[Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Naval Command]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Vice-admiral Vinod Pasricha gives three-dimensional view of Indian Navy |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/offtrack/story/20030414-vice-admiral-vinod-pasricha-gives-three-dimensional-view-of-indian-navy-792940-2003-04-13 |website=India Today |access-date=7 May 2025 |language=en |date=14 April 2003}}</ref>
|-
|5
|[[Rear admiral (India)|Rear Admiral]] [[Sureesh Mehta]] {{small|{{post-nominals|country=IND|sep=,|AVSM}}}}
|4 January 1995
|9 May 1997
|Later [[Chief of the Naval Staff (India)|Chief of the Naval Staff]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Anchored here in Goa |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/anchored-here-in-goa/articleshow/45084094.cms#:~:text=Once%20in%20the%20army%2C%20Mehta,with%20Pakistan%20in%202001%2D2002. |website=The Times of India |access-date=7 May 2025 |date=9 November 2014}}</ref>
|-
|6
|[[Rear admiral (India)|Rear Admiral]] K. V. Bharathan {{small|{{post-nominals|country=IND|sep=,|VSM}}}}
|10 May 1997
|6 November 1998
|Later [[Vice Chief of the Naval Staff (India)|Vice Chief of the Naval Staff]].<ref>{{cite web |title=The Ordinary Ship: A Success Story |url=https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/1998/march/ordinary-ship-success-story |website=U.S. Naval Institute |access-date=7 May 2025 |language=en |date=1 March 1998}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=V Bharatan is new Vice Chief of Naval Staff |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/v-bharatan-is-new-vice-chief-of-naval-staff/articleshow/1281065.cms |website=The Times of India |access-date=7 May 2025 |date=31 October 2005}}</ref>
|-
|7
|[[Rear admiral (India)|Rear Admiral]] Yashwant Prasad {{small|{{post-nominals|country=IND|AVSM|NM}}}}
|6 November 1998
|16 July 1999
|Later [[Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Southern Naval Command]] and [[Vice Chief of the Naval Staff (India)|Vice Chief of the Naval Staff]].<ref>{{cite web |title=National Defence College |url=https://ndc.nic.in/about/from-commandants-desk/former-commandants |website=ndc.nic.in |access-date=7 May 2025}}</ref>
|-
|8
|[[Rear admiral (India)|Rear Admiral]] K. Mohanan
|16 July 1999
|28 September 2001
|
|-
|9
|[[Rear admiral (India)|Rear Admiral]] S. K. Damle {{small|{{post-nominals|country=IND|NM|VSM}}}}
|28 September 2001
|16 April 2004
|Later [[Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Southern Naval Command]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Sunil K Damle to retire on Aug 31 |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/2009/Aug/24/sunil-k-damle-to-retire-on-aug-31-79945.html |website=The New Indian Express |access-date=7 May 2025 |language=en |date=15 May 2012}}</ref>
|-
|10
|[[Rear admiral (India)|Rear Admiral]] [[Shekhar Sinha]] {{small|[[Nao Sena Medal|NM]] [[Medal bar|&bar]]}}
|16 April 2004
|23 February 2006
|Later [[Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Naval Command]]
|-
|11
|[[Rear admiral (India)|Rear Admiral]] S. M. Vadgaokar {{small|{{post-nominals|country=IND|sep=,|NM}}}}
|23 February 2006
|28 January 2009
|<ref>{{cite web |title=Russian MIG-29K aircraft to be inducted in Navy |url=https://www.oneindia.com/2006/03/28/russian-mig-29k-aircraft-to-be-inducted-in-navy-next-year-1143538482.html |website=www.oneindia.com |access-date=7 May 2025 |language=en |date=28 March 2006}}</ref>
|-
|12
|[[Rear admiral (India)|Rear Admiral]] Sudhir Pillai {{small|{{post-nominals|country=IND|sep=,|NM}}}}
|29 January 2009
|27 May 2012
|<ref>{{cite web |title=Rear Admiral Pillai new Chief of Staff of Andaman Command |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/rear-admiral-pillai-new-chief-of-staff-of-andaman-command-112052900427_1.html |website=business-standard.com |access-date=7 May 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Navy honours martyrs on Dec 19 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/navy-honours-martyrs-on-dec-19/articleshow/7135974.cms |website=The Times of India |access-date=7 May 2025 |date=21 December 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Indian Navy gets two fast attack craft |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2010/Sep/22/indian-navy-gets-two-fast-attack-craft-189131.html |website=The New Indian Express |access-date=7 May 2025 |language=en |date=16 May 2012}}</ref>
|-
|13
|[[Rear admiral (India)|Rear Admiral]] Balvinder Singh Parhar {{small|{{post-nominals|country=IND|sep=,|NM}}}}
|28 May 2012
|26 March 2015
|<ref>{{cite web |title=Defence Minister Shri Manohar Parrikar Visits INS Hansa at Goa |url=https://www.business-standard.com/amp/article/government-press-release/defence-minister-shri-manohar-parrikar-visits-ins-hansa-at-goa-114111401484_1.html |website=business-standard.com |access-date=7 May 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=INS Saryu commissioned into Indian Navy |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/ins-saryu-commissioned-into-indian-navy/articleshow/18124392.cms |website=The Times of India |access-date=7 May 2025 |date=22 January 2013}}</ref>
|-
|14
|[[Rear admiral (India)|Rear Admiral]] [[Ravneet Singh (admiral)|Ravneet Singh]] {{small|{{post-nominals|country=IND|sep=,|NM}}}}
|27 March 2015
|5 October 2015
|Later [[Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff (India)|Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Vice Admiral Ravneet Singh AVSM, NM assumes charge as Deputy Chief of Naval Staff |url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1723375 |website=pib.gov.in |access-date=7 May 2025}}</ref>
|-
|15
|[[Rear admiral (India)|Rear Admiral]] [[Puneet Kumar Bahl]] {{small|{{post-nominals|country=IND|sep=,|VSM}}}}
|6 October 2015
|9 February 2018
|Later [[Commandant of Indian Naval Academy]].<ref>{{cite web |agency=Press Trust of India |title=Rear Admiral Puneet Bahl is new Flag Officer Goa Area |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/rear-admiral-puneet-bahl-is-new-flag-officer-goa-area-115100600880_1.html |website=Business Standard India |date=6 October 2015}}</ref>
|-
|16
|[[Rear admiral (India)|Rear Admiral]] [[Philipose George Pynumootil]] {{small|{{post-nominals|country=IND|AVSM|NM}}}}
|10 February 2018
|30 April 2022
|<ref>{{cite web |title=Rear Admiral Philipose George Pynumootil, NM Takes Over as Flag Officer Naval Aviation (FONA) |url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1520223 |website=pib.gov.in |access-date=7 May 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Goa: With blood & bravery, Naval Aviation earns President’s Colour |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/with-blood-bravery-naval-aviation-earns-prezs-colour/articleshow/85960398.cms |website=The Times of India |access-date=7 May 2025 |date=6 September 2021}}</ref>
|-
|17
|[[Rear admiral (India)|Rear Admiral]] [[Vikram Menon]] {{small|{{post-nominals|country=IND|sep=,|VSM}}}}
|1 May 2022
|31 July 2023
|Current [[Joint secretary to the Government of India|Joint Secretary]] (Navy & Defence Staff) at the [[Department of Military Affairs]].<ref>{{cite web |title=REAR ADMIRAL VIKRAM MENON TAKES OVER AS FOGA |url=https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1821619 |website=www.pib.gov.in}}</ref>
|-
|18
|[[Rear admiral (India)|Rear Admiral]] [[Ajay D. Theophilus]]
|1 August 2023
|Present
|Current FONA.<ref>{{cite web |title=Rear Admiral Ajay D Theophilus assumed charge as FOGA |url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1944823 |website=pib.gov.in |access-date=11 August 2023}}</ref>
|}

==See also==
* [[Indian Naval Air Arm]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Bibliography==
*{{citation|first1=Satyindra|last1=Singh|title=Blueprint To Bluewater - The Indian Navy 1951-1965|year=1992|isbn=81-7062-148-8|publisher=Lancer Publishers}}
*{{citation|last1=Hiranandani|first1=Gulab Mohanlal|year=2000|title=Transition To Triumph - Indian Navy 1965-1975|publisher=Lancer Publishers LLC|isbn=1-897829-72-8}}
*{{citation|first1=Gulab Mohanlal|last1=Hiranandani|title=Transition to eminence : The Indian Navy 1976-1990|year=2005|isbn=978-8170622666|publisher=Lancer Publishers}}
*{{citation|last1=Hiranandani|first1=Gulab Mohanlal|year=2009|title=Transition to Guardianship: The Indian Navy, 1991–2000|publisher=Lancer Publishers LLC|isbn=978-1-935501-66-4}}
{{Indian Navy}}

[[Category:Indian Navy]]
[[Category:Indian military appointments]]
[[Category:Indian Navy appointments]]

Flag Officer Naval Aviation (India) - Revision history

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