Indian Minister of Defence Visits Naval Air Station Oceana and Naval Station Norfolk

NORFOLK, VA, UNITED STATES

12.18.2019

Story by Cmdr. Jennifer Cragg 

Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic

NORFOLK, Va. – His Excellency, The Honourable Rajnath Singh, Indian Minister of Defence; The Honourable Harsh Vardham Shringla, Ambassador of India to the United States of America; Dr. Ajay Kumar, Defence Secretary, Indian Ministry of Defence and other Indian senior government officials and active-duty military officers visited Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana and Naval Station Norfolk on Dec. 17.

The visit highlighted the depth and breadth of the U.S.-India defense partnership and the close ties between our respective navies.

The Indian delegation was greeted by Dr. James Anderson, Performing duties of Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Policy; Rear Adm. Roy Kelley, Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic; Rear Adm. Francis Morley, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for International Programs; and Capt. John Hewitt, Commanding Officer, NAS Oceana.

During the visit to NAS Oceana the Indian delegation participated in a Boeing Mobile Flight Simulator, observed a static display, and F/A-18E flight demonstration. Following the visit to NAS Oceana the Indian delegation toured the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), which is located at Naval Station Norfolk.

Upon arrival to Naval Station Norfolk, Capt. Kyle Higgins, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower's commanding officer escorted the Indian delegation on board the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier and reflected on the bonds between the two countries.

India and the United States continue to build defense cooperation ties, through military exercises, defense trade, and official visits and exchanges, including this visit to the largest U.S. naval base in the world.

• Date Taken: 12.18.2019
• Date Posted: 12.18.2019 11:19
• Story ID: 356172
• Location: NORFOLK, VA, US