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Commander-in-Chief Fleet

{{Short description|British Royal Navy admiral, 1971–2012}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2018}}

{{Infobox official post

| post = Commander-in-Chief Fleet

| body =

| nativename =

| insignia = Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg

| insigniasize = 150px

| insigniacaption = Ensign of the Royal Navy

| image =

| imagesize =

| incumbent =

| incumbentsince =

| department = Ministry of Defence

| member_of = Admiralty Board

| reports_to = First Sea Lord

| nominator = Secretary of State for Defence

| appointer = Prime Minister

| appointer_qualified = Subject to formal approval by the King-in-Council

| termlength = Not fixed (typically 2–4 years)

| inaugural = Admiral Edward Ashmore

| formation =

| website=

}}

The Commander-in-Chief Fleet (CINCFLEET) was the admiral responsible for the operations of the ships, submarines and aircraft of the British Royal Navy from 1971 until April 2012. The post was subordinate to the First Sea Lord, the professional head of the Naval Service. In its last years, as the Navy shrank, more administrative responsibilities were added.

In April 2012, the post was abolished, its rank downgraded from admiral to three-star vice admiral, and re-designated Fleet Commander and Deputy Chief of Naval Staff.

History

Prior to 1964 responsibility for control and direction of British naval affairs lay with the Admiralty, naval command lay with the Admiralty Naval Staff. Following the merger of the Admiralty in 1964 into the new Ministry of Defence it became known as the Navy Department.{{cite book |last1=Stationery Office |first1=H.M. |title=The Navy List |date=31 October 1967 |publisher=Spink and Sons Ltd, London, England |pages=524–532}}{{cite book|editor-last1=Lagassé|editor-first1=Paul|title=The Columbia encyclopedia|date=2000|publisher=Columbia Univ. Press u.a.|location=[New York]|isbn=978-0787650155|edition=6.|chapter=Admiralty|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/columbiaencyclop00laga}}

In November 1971, force reductions resulted in the Western Fleet being amalgamated with the Far East Fleet. It was to be commanded by a four star admiral who held the title Commander-in-Chief Fleet,{{cite journal |title = Maritime Affairs |journal = The Army Quarterly and Defence Journal |date = 1971 |volume = 101 |page = 404 }} with his headquarters at the Northwood Headquarters, Middlesex, England. Previous to November 1971, on 1 May 1971 CINCWF had already assumed responsibility for the administration of ships in the Far East Fleet. From 1971-72 CINCFLEET directed Flag Officer, Carriers and Amphibious Ships; Flag Officer First Flotilla; Flag Officer, Second Flotilla; Flag Officer Submarines; the Hydrographer of the Navy, Rear Admiral Geoffrey Hall (all survey vessels); Flag Officer Sea Training (all ships in workup at Portland); and Captain, Mine Countermeasures.{{cite journal|author=Commander R.W. Moland RN|title=One Fleet: A Structural Outline|journal=RUSI Journal|volume=117|number=666|page=19}} Operational control was delegated to FOSNI, Flag Officer Plymouth, Flag Officer Gibraltar, Flag Officer Malta, Senior Naval Officer West Indies, Commander, ANZUK Naval Forces, and Commodore-in-Charge, Hong Kong.

The Flag Officer Gibraltar, and Gibraltar Naval Base Commander, a Rear Admiral, double-hatted as NATO's Commander Gibraltar Mediterranean (COMGIBMED).{{cite book|title=Jane's Defence Weekly|date=1987|volume=8|page=489|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YbpDAQAAIAAJ&q=%22COMGIBMED%22|access-date=24 November 2017}} In the late 1980s two small patrol craft, {{HMS|Cormorant|P256|6}}, {{HMS|Hart|P257|6}}, were reported as being attached to FO Gibraltar.

The post of CINCFLEET also was assigned the NATO appointments of Commander-in-Chief, Eastern Atlantic Area (CINCEASTLANT) and Commander-in-Chief Channel (CINCHAN).{{cite book |url = http://wiretap.area.com/Gopher/Gov/NATO-HB/part.07 |title = NATO Handbook07 |date = March 25, 1993 |access-date = 29 May 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160611073025/http://wiretap.area.com/Gopher/Gov/NATO-HB/part.07 |archive-date = 11 June 2016 |url-status = dead |df = dmy-all }} On 1 July 1994, the Channel Command was disestablished: however most of its subordinate commands remained in existence although reshuffled: most of the headquarters were absorbed within Allied Command Europe particularly as part of the new Allied Forces Northwestern Europe.{{cite web |first = Thomas-Durrell |last = Young |url = http://www.strategicstudiesinstitute.army.mil/pubs/display.cfm?pubID=148 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070610034802/http://www.strategicstudiesinstitute.army.mil/pubs/display.cfm?pubID=148 |url-status = dead |archive-date = 10 June 2007 |title = Command in NATO After the Cold War: Alliance, National, and Multinational Considerations |publisher = U.S. Army Strategic Studies Institute |date = 1 June 1997 |page = 11 |access-date = 26 April 2016 }}

In 1992 Fleet Headquarters moved to Portsmouth. In 2005, the Second Sea Lord, reduced in rank from full Admiral to Vice-Admiral, came under CINCFLEET's command, a situation that lasted until the Levene reforms of 2012.{{cite web|title=An independent report into the structure and management of the Ministry of Defence|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/27408/defence_reform_report_struct_mgt_mod_27june2011.pdf|date=1 June 2011|first=Lord|last=Levene of Portsoken|publisher=Ministry of Defence|access-date=15 June 2022}}

Responsibilities

File:Royal Navy Command Structure 2010.png

Full command of the Fleet and responsibility for the Fleet element of military operational capability including the Royal Marines and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, was delegated to Commander-in-Chief Fleet, as is described in official descriptions circa 2010.{{cite web |url = http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/training-and-people/the-rn-today/navy-command-headquarters/ |title = Navy Command Headquarters |publisher = Royal Navy |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100529193637/http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/training-and-people/the-rn-today/navy-command-headquarters/ |archive-date = 29 May 2010 }} In 1971 after the amalgamation of the Western and Far East Fleets the headquarters was established at Northwood, in the London Borough of Hillingdon (HMS Warrior). Both the CINCFLEET and CINCEASTLANT staffs were co-located there.

By the early 21st century the headquarters was split. In 2002 a new Command Headquarters, the Navy Command Headquarters Building at HMS Excellent in Portsmouth{{dead link|date=August 2013}} was completed. Thereafter the headquarters was split between the Command HQ and CINCFLEET's Operational Headquarters at Northwood, co-located with the Permanent Joint Headquarters.{{dead link|date=January 2014}}

By the 2010s, CINCFLEET was supported by:{{dead link|date=August 2013}}

  • Second Sea Lord and Commander-in-Chief Naval Home Command, based in HMS Excellent, who was the Principal Personnel Officer for the Royal Navy. The CINCNAVHOME title lapsed in 2012.
  • Deputy CINCFLEET, based in HMS Excellent, who directed the work of the Fleet Headquarters
  • Commander Operations, based at Northwood, responsible for fleet operations
  • Commander United Kingdom Amphibious Forces, who was Commandant General Royal Marines
  • Commander United Kingdom Maritime Forces (previously known as Commander UK Task Group),{{cite web |url = http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/training-and-people/the-rn-today/navy-command-headquarters/fleet-battle-staff/history/index.htm |title = Fleet Battle Staff Headquarters |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110213124944/http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/training-and-people/the-rn-today/navy-command-headquarters/fleet-battle-staff/history/index.htm |archive-date = 13 February 2011 }} who oversaw the commander of the UK Task Group (COMUKTG), subsequently renamed as the commander Amphibious Task Group (COMATG){{cite web |url = http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/training-and-people/the-rn-today/navy-command-headquarters/fleet-battle-staff/comukmarfor/index.htm |title = Commander UK Maritime Force |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110211080613/http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/training-and-people/the-rn-today/navy-command-headquarters/fleet-battle-staff/comukmarfor/index.htm |archive-date = 11 February 2011 }}{{cite web |url = http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/operations-and-support/operations/auriga/index.htm |title = Cougar |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101211003029/http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/operations-and-support/operations/auriga/index.htm |archive-date = 11 December 2010 }}{{cite web |url = http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/operations-and-support/surface-fleet/assault-ships/albion-class/hms-albion/news/new_admiral_visits_f.htm |title = New Admiral Visits Fleet Flagship |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110612220141/http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/operations-and-support/surface-fleet/assault-ships/albion-class/hms-albion/news/new_admiral_visits_f.htm |archive-date = 12 June 2011 }} and the commander UK Carrier Strike Group (COMUKCSG).

Collectively, COMUKMARFOR, COMUKAMPHIBFOR, Commander UK Task Group (COMUKTG), and the 3 Commando Brigade Headquarters comprised the "Fleet Battle Staff".{{cite web |url = http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/training-and-people/the-rn-today/navy-command-headquarters/fleet-battle-staff/comukamphibfor/index.htm |archive-url = http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20110316102255/http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/training-and-people/the-rn-today/navy-command-headquarters/fleet-battle-staff/comukamphibfor/index.htm |title = Commander UK Amphibious Force |archive-date = 16 March 2011 }}

Commanders-in-Chief Fleet

The Commanders-in-Chief were:{{cite web |url = http://www.gulabin.com/armynavy/pdf/Senior%20Royal%20Navy%20Appointments%201900-.pdf |title = Royal Navy Senior Appointments |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120315105247/http://www.gulabin.com/armynavy/pdf/Senior%20Royal%20Navy%20Appointments%201900-.pdf |archive-date = 15 March 2012 }}

Most are listed at their final service rank, not at their rank as CINCFLEET, an admiral's position.

class="wikitable"
Image

! Rank

! Name

! Term began

! Term ended

85pxAdmiral of the FleetSir Edward AshmoreNovember 1971December 1973
85pxAdmiral of the FleetSir Terence LewinDecember 1973October 1975
85pxAdmiral of the FleetSir John TreacherOctober 1975March 1977
85pxAdmiralSir Henry LeachMarch 1977May 1979
85pxAdmiralSir James EberleMay 1979April 1981
85pxAdmiral of the FleetSir John FieldhouseApril 1981October 1982
85pxAdmiralSir William StaveleyOctober 1982June 1985
85pxAdmiralSir Nicholas HuntJune 1985May 1987
85pxAdmiralSir Julian OswaldMay 1987April 1989
85pxAdmiralSir Benjamin BathurstApril 1989January 1991
85pxAdmiralSir Jock SlaterJanuary 1991December 1992
85pxAdmiralSir Hugo WhiteDecember 1992June 1995
85pxAdmiralSir Peter AbbottOctober 1995September 1997
85pxAdmiralSir Michael BoyceSeptember 1997September 1998
85pxAdmiralSir Nigel EssenhighSeptember 1998November 2000
85pxAdmiralSir Alan WestNovember 2000September 2002
85pxAdmiralSir Jonathon BandSeptember 2002November 2005
85pxAdmiralSir James Burnell-NugentNovember 2005November 2007
85pxAdmiralSir Mark StanhopeNovember 2007June 2009
85pxAdmiralSir Trevor Soar{{cite news |url = http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/newshome/Admiral-Sir-Trevor-Soar-takes.5355818.jp |title = Admiral Sir Trevor Soar takes up Navy fleet position |work = Portsmouth News |date = 11 June 2009 |access-date = 12 June 2009 |archive-url = https://archive.today/20120912042435/http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/newshome/Admiral-Sir-Trevor-Soar-takes.5355818.jp |archive-date = 12 September 2012 |url-status = dead }}June 2009January 2012
85pxAdmiralSir George Zambellas{{cite news |url = http://www.bfbs.com/news/navy/new-commander-chief-fleet-54187.html |title = Admiral George Zambellas takes up role as CinC Fleet |publisher = British Forces News |date = 6 January 2012 |access-date = 11 January 2012 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120203040549/http://www.bfbs.com/news/navy/new-commander-chief-fleet-54187.html |archive-date = 3 February 2012 }}January 2012April 2012

Deputy Commander-in-Chief, and Chief of Staff

Deputy Commanders have included:

= Chiefs of Staff =

The Commander-in-Chief, Fleet's principal staff officer was the Chief of Staff, Fleet, responsible for coordinating the supporting staff of Fleet Headquarters from November 1971 to 2012.{{cite web |last1=Mackie |first1=Colin |title=Royal Navy Senior Appointments from 1865 |url=http://www.gulabin.com/armynavy/pdf/Senior%20Royal%20Navy%20Appointments%201865-.pdf |website=gulabin |publisher=C. Mackie |access-date=12 February 2019 |date=January 2019}}

class="wikitable sortable"
#post holderdatesnotes/ref
1.Chief of Staff Fleet1971–2012In 1990 became a joint title of the Deputy C-in-CMackie 2019 p.135-136.
2.Chief of Staff, (Warfare) Fleet2002–2006became CoS CapabilityMackie 2019 p.135.
3.Chief of Staff (Capability) Fleet2006–2012Mackie 2019 p.135-136.
4.Assistant Chief of Staff, Operations1971–2010became ACOS Operations (Navy) in 2002Mackie 2019 p.135-136.
5.Assistant Chief of Staff, Plans1971–2012Mackie 2019 p.135-136.
6.Assistant Chief of Staff, Warfare1973–2012Mackie 2019 p.135-136.
7.Command Secretary, Fleet1971–2012The Civil Service Yearbook 1998 p.164.The Civil Service Yearbook 2002 p.170.

Subordinate commands

At various times included:{{cite book |last1 = Paxton |first1 = J. |title = The Statesman's Year-Book 1987-88 |date = 2016 |publisher = Springer |isbn = 9780230271166 |page = 1303 |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=-Li8DQAAQBAJ&pg=PA1303 |language = en }}{{cite book |last1 = Brown |first1 = David |title = The Royal Navy and Falklands War |date = 1987 |publisher = Pen and Sword |isbn = 9781473817791 |page = 53 |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=CwLSAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA53 |language = en }}{{cite book |last1 = Eberle |first1 = Sir James |title = Wider horizons: naval policy & international affairs |date = 2007 |publisher = Roundtuit Publishing |isbn = 9781904499176 |page = 16 |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=pEAZ_wRi1_UC&pg=PA16 |language = en }}{{cite book |last1 = Roberts |first1 = John |title = Safeguarding the Nation: The Story of the Modern Royal Navy |date = 2009 |publisher = Seaforth Publishing |isbn = 9781848320437 |page = 236 |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=jNbZAwAAQBAJ&pg=PT235 |language = en }}{{cite book |last1 = Paxton |first1 = J. |title = The Statesman's Year-Book 1990-91 |date = 2016 |publisher = Springer |isbn = 9780230271197 |page = 1315 |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=DMjDDQAAQBAJ&pg=PA1315 |language = en }}

class="wikitable sortable"
#post holderseedates
1.Chaplain of the Fleet and Director-General Naval Chaplaincy Services{{main|Chaplain of the Fleet}}1971-2012
2.Commandant General Royal Marines{{main|Commandant General Royal Marines}}1971-2012
3.Commander British Forces Gibraltar{{main|Commander British Forces Gibraltar}}1992-2012
4.Commander Operations{{main|Commander Operations (Royal Navy)}}1993-2012
5.Commander UK Amphibious Forces{{main|Commander UK Amphibious Forces}}2001-2012
6.Commander United Kingdom Maritime Forces{{main|Commander United Kingdom Maritime Forces}}2001-2012
7.Flag Officer, Carriers and Amphibious Ships{{main|Flag Officer, Carriers and Amphibious Ships}}1971-1979
8.Flag Officer First Flotilla{{main|Flag Officer First Flotilla}}1971-1990
9.Flag Officer Naval Air Command{{main|Flag Officer Naval Air Command}}1971-2010
10.Flag Officer Gibraltar and Gibraltar Naval Base Commander{{main|Flag Officer Gibraltar}}1971-1992
11.Flag Officer Scotland, Northern England, Northern Ireland{{main|Flag Officer Scotland, Northern England, Northern Ireland}}1996-2012
12.Flag Officer Scotland and Northern Ireland{{main|Flag Officer Scotland and Northern Ireland}}1971-1996
13.Flag Officer Sea Training{{main|Flag Officer Sea Training (United Kingdom){{!}}Flag Officer Sea Training}}1971-2012
14.Flag Officer, Second Flotilla{{main|Flag Officer, Second Flotilla}}1971-1992
15.Flag Officer Submarines{{main|Commodore Submarine Service}}1971-1991
16.Flag Officer, Surface Flotilla{{main|Flag Officer, Surface Flotilla}}1990-2002
17.Flag Officer, Third Flotilla{{main|Flag Officer, Third Flotilla}}1979-1992

Structure charts

{{Infobox command structure

| name = Fleet structure (1971 to 1981){{cite web |last1 = Smith |first1 = Gordon |title = Royal Navy Organisation and Ship Deployment 1947–2013: Summary of Fleet Organization 1972–1981 |url = http://www.naval-history.net/xGW-RNOrganisation1947-2013.htm#4 |website = www.naval-history.net |publisher = Gordon Smith |date = 12 July 2015 |access-date = 31 December 2017 }}

| date =

| parent = Commander-in-Chief Fleet

| subordinate =

Carriers and Amphibious Ships

Units

  • Aircraft Carriers
  • Commando Carriers
  • Assault Ships
  • Destroyers not allocated
    to 1st or 2nd Flotillas
  • Dartmouth Training Ship
  • Fleet Training Ship

Flag Officer First Flotilla

Units

2nd Flotilla

Units

Flag Officer Submarines

Units

  • 1st Submarine Squadron, Gosport (1971-2002)
  • 2nd Submarine Squadron, Devonport (1971-2002)
  • 3rd Submarine Squadron, Faslane (1971-2002)
  • 10th Submarine Squadron, Faslane (1971-2002)

Mine Countermeasures

Units

  • 1st MCM Squadron (1971-2002)
  • 2nd MCM Squadron (1971-2002)
  • 3rd MCM Squadron (1971-2002)
  • 10th MCM Squadron [RNR] (1971-2002)

Fishery Protection Command

Units

  • Fishery Protection Squadron (1971-2002)

}}

{{Infobox command structure

| name = Fleet structure (1981 to 2002)

| date =

| parent = Commander-in-Chief Fleet
Commander United Kingdom Maritime Forces

| subordinate =

: Third Flotilla

Units

  • Aircraft Carriers
  • Amphibious Ships
  • Fleet Training Ship
  • Unallocated destroyers

:First Flotilla


Units

:Second Flotilla


Units

:Surface Flotilla

Units

:Flag Officer Submarines

Units

  • 1st Submarine Squadron, Gosport (1971-2002)
  • 2nd Submarine Squadron, Devonport (1971-2002)
  • 3rd Submarine Squadron, Faslane (1971-2002)
  • 10th Submarine Squadron, Faslane (1971-2002)

:Mine Countermeasures Flotilla

Units

  • 1st MCM Squadron (1971-2002)
  • 2nd MCM Squadron (1971-2002)
  • 3rd MCM Squadron (1971-2002)
  • 10th MCM Squadron [RNR] (1971-2002)

:Fishery Protections Squadron

  • Fishery Protection Squadron (1971-2002)

}}

{{Infobox command structure

| name = Fleet structure (2002 to 2012)

| date =

| parent = United Kingdom Maritime Forces

| subordinate =

}}

= Flag Officer First Flotilla, 1989 =

File:HMS Phoebe (F42) entering Hampton Roads 1990.jpeg]]

The Flag Officer First Flotilla (FOF1) was a rear admiral based HMNB Portsmouth who commanded the navy's First Flotilla.

  • First Flotilla, HMNB Portsmouth{{cite web|last1=Watson|first1=Graham|title=Royal Navy Organisation and Ship Deployments 1947–2013|url=http://www.naval-history.net/xGW-RNOrganisation1947-2013.htm|access-date=29 June 2017}}
  • 1st Frigate Squadron, HMNB Devonport with
  • Type 22 frigates (Batch 2): {{HMS|Boxer|F92|6}}, {{HMS|Beaver|F93|6}}, {{HMS|Brave|F94|6}}, {{HMS|London|F95|6}}, {{HMS|Sheffield|F96|6}}, {{HMS|Coventry|F98|6}}
  • 2nd Frigate Squadron, HMNB Devonport with
  • Type 22 frigates (Batch 1): {{HMS|Broadsword|F88|6}}, {{HMS|Battleaxe|F89|6}}, {{HMS|Brilliant|F90|6}}, {{HMS|Brazen|F91|6}}
  • 5th Destroyer Squadron, HMNB Portsmouth with
  • Type 42 destroyers: {{HMS|Newcastle|D87|6}}, {{HMS|Exeter|D89|6}}, {{HMS|Southampton|D90|6}}, {{HMS|Manchester|D95|6}}, {{HMS|Gloucester|D96|6}}, {{HMS|Cardiff|D108|6}}
  • 6th Frigate Squadron, HMNB Devonport with
  • {{sclass|Leander|frigate}}s (Batch 3A): {{HMS|Andromeda|F57|6}}, {{HMS|Hermione|F58|6}}, {{HMS|Jupiter|F60|6}}, {{HMS|Scylla|F71|6}}, {{HMS|Charybdis|F75|6}}
  • Dartmouth Training Squadron (JFS 1989, p. 651)
  • Type 82 destroyer: {{HMS|Bristol|D23|6}}, {{sclass|Leander|frigate}}s (Batch 3B): {{HMS|Ariadne|F72|6}}, {{HMS|Achilles|F12|6}}

=Flag Officer, Second Flotilla, 1989=

File:HMS Birmingham D86.jpg {{HMS|Birmingham|D86|6}} entering Port Everglades in Florida]]

The Flag Officer, Second Flotilla was a rear admiral based HMNB Devonport who commanded the navy's Second Flotilla.

  • Second Flotilla, with ships based HMNB Devonport:
  • 3rd Destroyer Squadron, RN Dockyard Rosyth with
  • Type 42 destroyers: {{HMS|Birmingham|D86|6}}, {{HMS|Glasgow|D88|6}}, {{HMS|Nottingham|D91|6}}, {{HMS|Liverpool|D92|6}}, {{HMS|Edinburgh|D97|6}}, {{HMS|York|D98|6}}
  • 4th Frigate Squadron, HMNB Devonport with
  • Type 21 frigates: {{HMS|Amazon|F169|6}}, {{HMS|Active|F171|6}}, {{HMS|Ambuscade|F172|6}}, {{HMS|Arrow|F173|6}}, {{HMS|Alacrity|F174|6}}, {{HMS|Avenger|F185|6}}
  • 7th Frigate Squadron, HMNB Devonport with
  • {{sclass|Leander|frigate}}s (Batch 2): {{HMS|Cleopatra|F28|6}}, {{HMS|Arethusa|F38|6}} (Batch 1, decommissioned April 1989), {{HMS|Sirius|F40|6}}, {{HMS|Phoebe|F42|6}}, {{HMS|Danae|F47|6}}, {{HMS|Argonaut|F56|6}}, {{HMS|Penelope|F127|6}}
  • 8th Frigate Squadron, HMNB Devonport with
  • Type 22 frigates (Batch 3): {{HMS|Cumberland|F85|6}}, {{HMS|Campbeltown|F86|6}}, {{HMS|Chatham|F87|6}} (commissioned 4 May 1990), {{HMS|Cornwall|F99|6}}

=Flag Officer, Third Flotilla, 1989=

File:HMS Invincible (R05) Dragon Hammer 90.jpg exercise Dragon Hammer 90]]

The Flag Officer, Third Flotilla was a rear admiral based at HMNB Portsmouth who doubled as NATO Commander Anti-Submarine Warfare Striking Force. In 1989 Vice Admiral Alan Grose held this appointment.

=Flag Officer Scotland and Northern Ireland, 1989=

File:HMS Quorn is pictured as she departs from Portsmouth. MOD 45139064.jpg {{HMS|Quorn|M41|6}} leaving port]]

The Flag Officer Scotland and Northern Ireland (FOSNI) was a vice admiral based at RAF Pitreavie Castle, who commanded the navy's units in Scotland and Northern Ireland and double-hatted as Naval Base Commander at Rosyth, NATO Commander Northern Sub-Area (NORLANT) and Commander Nore Sub-Area Channel (NORECHAN).{{cite news|title=Appointments|access-date=5 July 2017|publisher=Navy News|url=https://issuu.com/navynews/docs/197702/13=it|date=1 May 1983}} The main unit under his command was the Mine Countermeasures Flotilla based at Royal Naval Dockyard Rosyth on the Firth of Forth, which was commanded by a commodore. Additionally the Second Flotilla's 3rd Destroyer Squadron was based at RN Dockyard Rosyth. In war FOSNI would have been one of two naval operational commands, with the other being Flag Officer Plymouth.

=Flag Officer Plymouth, 1989=

The Flag Officer Plymouth was a vice admiral based at Admiralty House, who commanded the navy's units in England and Wales and double-hatted as Naval Base Commander Devonport, NATO Commander Central Sub-Area (CENTLANT) and Commander Plymouth Sub-Area Channel (PLYMCHAN).{{cite news|title=Flag Officer Plymouth|access-date=5 July 2017|publisher=Navy News|url=https://issuu.com/navynews/docs/198208/9|date=1 August 1982}}{{cite news|title=Notice Board|access-date=5 July 2017|publisher=Navy News|url=https://issuu.com/navynews/docs/199205/30=it|date=30 May 1992}} In war Flag Officer Plymouth would have been one of two naval operational commands, with the other being Flag Officer Scotland and Northern Ireland.

=Flag Officer Submarines, 1989=

The Flag Officer Submarines was a rear admiral based at Northwood Headquarters, who commanded the Royal Navy Submarine Service and double-hatted as NATO Commander Submarine Force Eastern Atlantic (COMSUBEASTLANT).

  • Flag Officer Submarines (FOSM), Northwood Headquarters, Eastbury
  • 1st Submarine Squadron, HMS Dolphin with
  • {{sclass|Oberon|submarine}}s: {{HMS|Orpheus|S11|6}} (only harbour service), {{HMS|Olympus|S12|6}} (sold to Canada in 1989), {{HMS|Osiris|S13|6}} (sold to Canada in 1989), {{HMS|Onslaught|S14|6}}, {{HMS|Otter|S15|6}}, {{HMS|Otus|S18|6}}, {{HMS|Opossum|S19|6}}, {{HMS|Opportune|S20|6}}, {{HMS|Onyx|S21|6}}
  • 2nd Submarine Squadron, HMNB Devonport with
  • {{sclass|Swiftsure|submarine}}s: {{HMS|Swiftsure|S126|6}}, {{HMS|Splendid|S106|6}} (refit at HMNB Devonport), {{HMS|Superb|S109|6}}
  • {{sclass|Trafalgar|submarine}}s: {{HMS|Trafalgar|S107|6}}, {{HMS|Turbulent|S87|6}}, {{HMS|Tireless|S88|6}}, {{HMS|Torbay|S90|6}}, {{HMS|Trenchant|S91|6}}, {{HMS|Talent|S92|6}} (commissioned 12 May 1990)
  • 3rd Submarine Squadron, HMNB Clyde with
  • {{sclass|Oberon|submarine}}s: {{HMS|Odin|S10|6}}, {{HMS|Oracle|S16|6}}, {{HMS|Ocelot|S17|6}}
  • {{sclass|Churchill|submarine}}s: {{HMS|Churchill|S46|6}} (refit at RN Dockyard Rosyth), {{HMS|Conqueror|S48|6}}, {{HMS|Courageous|S50|6}}
  • {{sclass|Valiant|submarine}}s: {{HMS|Valiant|S102|6}}, {{HMS|Warspite|S103|6}} (refit at HMNB Devonport)
  • {{sclass|Swiftsure|submarine}}s: {{HMS|Sceptre|S104|6}}, {{HMS|Spartan|S105|6}}, {{HMS|Sovereign|S108|6}}
  • 10th Submarine Squadron, HMNB Clyde with
  • Resolution-class ballistic missile submarines: {{HMS|Resolution|S22|6}}, {{HMS|Repulse|S23|6}}, {{HMS|Renown|S26|6}} (refit at RN Dockyard Rosyth), {{HMS|Revenge|S27|6}}

=Flag Officer Naval Air Command, 1989=

File:Westland Sea King HAS6, UK - Navy AN1377450.jpg from 814 Naval Air Squadron armed with torpedoes at RNAS Culdrose]]

The Flag Officer Naval Air Command was a rear admiral based at RNAS Yeovilton, who commanded the Fleet Air Arm.

=Commandant General Royal Marines, 1989=

File:Royal Marines on Rigid Raider.jpg during an exercise in Scotland]]

The Commandant General Royal Marines, in 1989 Lieutenant General Sir Martin Garrod based at Whitehall, was the service head of the Royal Marines. In 1991 their structure was described as "very top heavy. They have nearly 8,000 men to put 2,400 in the field...they have three 'tied' generals, the Commandant General, a major general as his chief of staff, and a major general commando forces."{{cite book|author=Antony Beevor|title=Inside the British Army|publisher=Corgi Books|date=1991|isbn=0-552-13818-5|page=240}}

Note: "(V)" denotes British Army reserve units.

See also

References

{{reflist|2}}

Further reading

  • {{cite journal|author=Rear Admiral Colin Cooke‐Priest CB|title=The naval air command in the 1990s|journal=The RUSI Journal|volume=138|number=2|date=1993|pages=53–58|doi=10.1080/03071849308445698 }} Cooke-Priest was Flag Officer, Naval Aviation.
  • Commander R. W. Moland RN (1972) One Fleet: A Structural Outline, The RUSI Journal, 117:666, 17-20, DOI: 10.1080/03071847209429770

{{Naval Service (British)|state=collapsed}}

{{Royal Navy fleets|state=collapsed}}

F

Category:Fleets of the Royal Navy

Category:1971 establishments in the United Kingdom

Category:2012 disestablishments in the United Kingdom