Mangalore: Deputy Inspector General KR Suresh has taken over as the 14th Commander of the No. 3, Coast Guard District (Karnataka) on 10 August 2015 at an impressive Parade at the Indian Coast Guard Headquarters, Panambur, Mangalore.

Deputy Inspector General KR Suresh joined the Indian Coast Guard on 19 Jan 1987 and belongs to 8th batch of direct entry officers. The Officer is highly qualified and a specialist in Communication and Electronic Warfare. He is an alumnus of Defence Services Staff College, Wellington; Naval Higher Command Course, Mumbai and the prestigious Naval Defence College, New Delhi. He also holds an M Phil degree in Defence Strategic Studies from Madras University, Chennai.

The Officer has had an illustrious career spanning over 28 years, during which he has held various important Operational and Staff appointments both at sea and Headquarters. He has commanded various Indian Coast Guard ships, Advanced Offshore Patrol Vessel Sagar, Offshore Patrol Vessel Varuna, Fast Patrol Vessel Annie Besant and Inshore Patrol Vessel Ahalyabai. The Officer also commanded Coast Guard Station Mandapam, an important Coast Guard post on the South of Tamil Nadu. His major Staff appointments include Officer-in-Charge, Bureau of Naviks at Mumbai which deals with human resource development of the enrolled personnel of the Service, Chief Staff Officer (Personnel and Administration) at Regional Headquarters (East) and various portfolios in the Directorate of Operations on the three occasions at Coast Guard Headquarters, New Delhi.

Before taking over as the Commander of the No. 3, Coast Guard District (Karnataka), the Officer was the Principal Director (Operations) at Coast Guard Headquarters, New Delhi. The Officer has been instrumental in planning and executing the Coast Guard operations in the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone and coordinating with various authorities and stakeholders at International, National and Ministerial levels. The Indian Coast Guard is recognised as a competent and professional force by other countries.

KR Suresh believes in team-work and coordinated efforts. “It will be my endeavour to work in tandem with all the Central and State Governments so that Karnataka’s coast and area within Exclusive Economic Zone is secure. The safety of life and property will be a priority”, said Deputy Inspector General KR Suresh during the taking over Parade. He also motivated Coast Guard staff and advised one and all to dedicate to the motto of the Coast Guard, ‘Vyam Rakshamah’ meaning ‘We Protect’.

The Officer is married and has a daughter.

The previous Commander of the No. 3, Coast Guard District (Karnataka), Deputy Inspector General RM Sharma, TM has been appointed at Gandhinagar as the Commander, Coast Guard Region (North West).