Fleet Command (SA Navy)
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|unit_name= Fleet Command
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|dates= 1999 to date
|country= {{ZAF}}
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|branch= South African Navy
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|garrison= Naval Base Simon's Town
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|commander1=RADM Musawenkosi Nkomonde
|commander1_label=Flag Officer Fleet
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|commander4=CWO Vika
|commander4_label=Fleet Master at Arms
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Fleet Command is the South African Navy's single type command and controls all vessels and units of the South African Navy, besides Naval Headquarters. The commander of Fleet Command is a Rear Admiral and referred to as Flag Officer Fleet (FOF). The post was previously known as Chief of Naval Operations.{{cite web | url=http://allafrica.com/stories/199807160114.html | title=South Africa: Pretoria navy chiefs post to be abolished | publisher=AllAfrica | date=July 16, 1988 | accessdate=June 19, 2014| author=Molebeledi, Pule}}
Fleet Command was formed on 1 April 1999 following a Defense review, with Rear Admiral Eric Green as the first Flag Officer Fleet.{{cite web | url=http://mg.co.za/article/1999-03-31-navy-hq-inaugurated | title=NAVY HQ INAUGURATED | publisher=Mail & Guardian | date=March 31, 1999 | accessdate=June 19, 2014}}
Command, control and organisation
Four directorates are responsible for the day to day control of Fleet Command:{{cite book|author1=Bennett, C. H. |author2=Söderlund, A. G.|title=South Africa's navy : a navy of the people and for the people|year=2008|isbn=978-0-620-41446-3|pages=69}}
- Director Fleet Force Preparations (DFFP)
- Director Fleet Human Resources (DFHR)
- Director Fleet Quality Assurance (DFQA)
- Director Fleet Logistics (DFL)
=Past Flag Officers Fleet=
- 1999 to 2005 - Rear Admiral Eric Green
- 2005 to 2008 - Rear Admiral Hennie Bester
- 2008 to December 2010 - Rear Admiral Robert Higgs{{cite web | url=http://152.111.1.87/argief/berigte/dieburger/2010/12/07/PQ/2/dladmiral.html | archive-url=https://archive.today/20140619072855/http://152.111.1.87/argief/berigte/dieburger/2010/12/07/PQ/2/dladmiral.html | url-status=dead | archive-date=June 19, 2014 | title=Higgs hands over fleet command | publisher=Die Burger | date=December 7, 2010 | accessdate=June 19, 2014 | author=Louw, Dalene }}
- December 2010 to 1 February 2014 - Rear Admiral Phillip Schoultz{{cite web|url=http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=11033%3Aschoeultz-takes-the-helm-at-the-fleet&catid=55%3ASANDF&Itemid=242 |title=Schöultz takes the helm at the fleet |publisher=DefenceWeb |date=2010-12-06 |accessdate=July 12, 2012}}
- 1 February 2014 to 31 March 2020 - Rear Admiral Bubele Mhlana{{cite web | url=http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33442:navy-rising-to-meet-new-challenges&catid=51:Sea&Itemid=106 | title=Navy rising to meet new challenges | date=February 3, 2014 | accessdate=March 14, 2014 | author=Wingrin, Dean}}
- 1 April 2020 to current - Rear Admiral Musawenkosi Nkomonde
Force preparation
Director Fleet Force Preparations is responsible for the day-to-day running of the ships and submarines and for ensuring their operational readiness. The Maritime Reaction Squadron and Navcomcens also report into DFFP.
=Maritime Reaction Squadron=
The Naval Rapid Deployment Force (NRDF), now known as the Maritime Reaction Squadron (MRS),{{cite web|url=http://www.navy.mil.za/publications/navynews/latest/no%204,%205%20intranet.pdf|date=7 November 2006|title=Edition No 4 of 2006|accessdate=June 22, 2014|archive-date=3 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303171325/http://www.navy.mil.za/publications/navynews/latest/no%204,%205%20intranet.pdf|url-status=dead}} was formed in 2006.{{cite web|url=http://saairforce.co.za/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2223|title=The SAAF Forum • View topic - Maritime Reaction Squadron comes of age|publisher=saairforce.co.za|accessdate=June 19, 2014}}
The main aim of this specialised unit is to deploy infantry-trained South African Navy members in various peacekeeping roles within the African continent and to assist in boarding operations at sea, humanitarian operations and disaster relief.{{cite web|url=http://www.navy.mil.za/SANCareers/MRS.htm|title=Maritime Protection Squadron|publisher=navy.mil.za|accessdate=June 19, 2014|archive-date=July 12, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120712063600/http://www.navy.mil.za/SANCareers/MRS.htm|url-status=dead}}
The squadron consists of the following components:
- Operational Boat Division (OBD), with 10 Namacurra-class harbour patrol boats and six Lima-class utility landing craft
- Reaction Force Division (RFD), consisting of one naval infantry company with a command and support element
- Operational Diving Division (ODD), consisting of four operational diving teams (ODT) of 17 divers{{cite web|url=http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=858&Itemid=363|title=SA Navy to commission Maritime Reaction Squadron | defenceWeb|publisher=defenceweb.co.za|accessdate=June 19, 2014}}
Human resources
Director Fleet Human Resources is responsible for all training and manning and also controls the training units.
=Training units=
- SAS Saldanha - located on the West Coast and provides training and development for ratings{{cite web|url=http://www.navy.mil.za/peoplesnavy/saldanha/index.htm|title=SAS Saldanha Home Page|publisher=navy.mil.za|accessdate=June 19, 2014|archive-date=July 12, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120712070053/http://www.navy.mil.za/peoplesnavy/saldanha/index.htm|url-status=dead}}
- SAS Wingfield - located in the Greater Cape Town area; provides practical training for apprentices and the technical musterings{{cite book|author1=Bennett, C. H. |author2=Söderlund, A. G.|title=South Africa's navy : a navy of the people and for the people|year=2008|isbn=978-0-620-41446-3|page=153}}
- SAS Simonsberg - training in gunnery, anti-submarine warfare, communications, diving and seamanship{{cite book|author1=Bennett, C. H.|author2=Söderlund, A. G.|title=South Africa's navy : a navy of the people and for the people|year=2008|isbn=978-0-620-41446-3|page=157}}
- South African Naval College Gordon's Bay - training college for naval officers
- Maritime Warfare School, Simonstown{{cite web|url=http://www.pmg.org.za/docs/2011/111117mudimu-chief-sa-navy.pdf|date=17 November 2011|title=Presentation by Chief of the SA Navy|accessdate=June 19, 2014}}
- NBCD School - nuclear, biological, and damage control training
Logistics
Director Fleet Logistics is responsible for all Logistics units as well as for the maintenance of the fleet.
=Logistics units=
- Naval Armament Depot{{cite book|author1=Bennett, C. H. |author2=Söderlund, A. G.|title=South Africa's navy : a navy of the people and for the people|year=2008|isbn=978-0-620-41446-3|page=159}}
- Naval Dockyard
- Naval Stores Depot
- Fleet Maintenance Unit
- Naval Publications Unit
Quality assurance
Director Fleet Quality Assurance is responsible for the output of Fleet Command and monitoring Quality Assurance throughout Fleet Command.
References
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{{South African Navy}}