Kohima/Chandigarh: Aug 01, 2008:Lt Gen Rakesh Kumar Loomba, assumed the charge of new Corps Commander in the region comprising the states of Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura and South Assam. In a solemn ceremony, Lt Gen M S Dadwal handed over the onerous responsibility of the Spear Corps to Gen Loomba at Rangapahar, yesterday. Gen Dadwal proceeds to Delhi to take over the prestigious appointment of Deputy Chief of the Army Staff.
Gen Rakesh Loomba, an alumni of Sainik School Kunjpura and the National Defence Academy, is a visionary and a man of high caliber with rich experience. In addition to have excelled in all his courses in the Army, the General is a 1971 War veteran, in which as a young officer in the Armoured Corps (Skinner’s Horse), he participated in carving the much coveted victory for the Indian Armed Forces.
He thereafter continued to enrich himself with varied command, operational and instructional experience in almost all theatres of war, as prevalent in our country, right from the LOC in the North to the jungles of the North East. Gen Loomba has the distinction to his credit, to have commanded one of the strategically most important Brigades and, thereafter, the Divisions of the Indian Army. He has relentlessly proved his mettle and expertise in mountain and tank warfare. His vast, in depth knowledge about every facet of operations as envisaged in the sub-continent, made him as one of the most revered instructors in various schools of instruction.
As a General Staff Officer, General Loomba, on successive ranks from Major to Major General, has been instrumental in formulating and executing operational plans in quite a few major operations and exercises. The General fits perfectly in the groove to take over the reigns of the ever important 3 Corps, from Gen M S Dadwal.
A multilinguist, General Loomba is a keen sportsman, having excelled in squash and golf. He is the Colonel Commandant of Skinners’ Horse (the Regiment which he commanded) and 86 Armoured Regiment.
Gen Loomba’s wife, Mrs Anita Loomba is a qualified Interior Decorator, a keen musician and an environmentalist. The lady has been a well-known personality and has actively contributed towards various Army Wives’ Welfare activities, ever since. She takes over as the new President, Spear Army Wives’ Welfare Association (AWWA).
Expedition team members at the final moment before being flagged off from Chandimandir on Friday.