David Snelson
{{Short description|Royal Navy Rear Admiral (born 1951)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}}
{{Infobox military person
| honorific_prefix = Rear Admiral
| name = David Snelson
| honorific_suffix = {{postnominals|country=GBR|size=100%|CB}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1951|05|27|df=yes}}
| allegiance = United Kingdom
| branch = Royal Navy
| serviceyears = 1969–2006
| rank = Rear Admiral
| commands = Commander United Kingdom Maritime Forces
{{HMS|Ark Royal|R07|6}}
{{HMS|Liverpool|D92|6}}
| battles = Iraq War
| awards = Companion of the Order of the Bath
}}
Rear Admiral David George Snelson, {{postnominals|country=GBR|size=100|CB}} (born 27 May 1951) is a former Royal Navy officer who served as Commander United Kingdom Maritime Forces from 2002 to 2004.
Naval career
Snelson joined the Royal Navy in 1969.[http://www.pla.co.uk/News/archived_news.cfm/flag/2/id/2658/site/news New chief harbour master to join Port of London Authority] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120604234719/http://www.pla.co.uk/News/archived_news.cfm/flag/2/id/2658/site/news |date=4 June 2012 }} Port of London Authority He first became Commanding Officer of the destroyer {{HMS|Liverpool|D92|6}} in 1987, and again as Captain 3rd Destroyer Squadron in 1997.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/1513686.stm Ark Royal goes home after refit] BBC News, 28 August 2001{{Cite web|url=http://www.debretts.com/people/biographies/browse/s/26170/David%20George+SNELSON.aspx|title=Debrett's People of Today}} He then became Director of Naval Operations and Trade under the Naval Staff at the Ministry of Defence in 1998 and Director of Navy Staff Duties in 1999 before commanding the aircraft carrier {{HMS|Ark Royal|R07|6}} in 2001. He was appointed Commander United Kingdom Maritime Forces in 2002.{{Cite web|url=http://www.gulabin.com/armynavy/pdf/Senior%20Royal%20Navy%20Appointments%201900-.pdf|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315105247/http://www.gulabin.com/armynavy/pdf/Senior%20Royal%20Navy%20Appointments%201900-.pdf|title=Royal Navy Senior Appointments|archivedate=15 March 2012}} In March 2003, he was the Royal Navy Commander for Operation Telic, during which he led maritime operations for the Invasion of Iraq from his headquarters ashore in Bahrain.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/2837179.stm Al-Qaeda 'biggest threat' to navy] BBC News, 10 March 2003 He went on to be Chief of Staff (Warfare) for the Fleet in 2004 before retiring in 2006.{{Cite web|url=http://www.mcdoa.org.uk/News_Archive_11.htm|title=News Archive 11|website=mcdoa.org.uk}}
After leaving the Navy Snelson served as Chief Harbour Master for the Port of London Authority between 2006 and 2011. He then served as a Non Executive Director for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and the Port of Milford Haven between 2011 and 2018.{{cite web|url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/631530/60470_HC_278_Web_Accessible.pdf|publisher= Maritime & Coastguard Agency|title=Annual Report and Accounts 2016/2017|accessdate=13 August 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.mhpa.co.uk/news/2012/06/29/port-authority-appoints-new-board-members/|title=Port Authority Appoints New Board Members|website=mhpa.co.uk}} In 2013, Snelson was elected as an Elder Brother of the Corporation of Trinity House.{{Cite web|url=https://www.trinityhouse.co.uk/about-us/governance/the-court|title=The Court|website=Trinity House}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{s-start}}
{{s-mil}}
{{s-bef|before=James Burnell-Nugent}}
{{s-ttl|title=Commander United Kingdom Maritime Forces|years=2002–2004}}
{{s-aft|after=Charles Style}}
{{s-end}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Snelson, David}}
Category:Companions of the Order of the Bath
Category:Royal Navy rear admirals