Commander-in-Chief Fleet

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Commander-in-Chief Fleet
Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg
Ensign of the Royal Navy
Ministry of Defence
Member ofAdmiralty Board
Reports toFirst Sea Lord
NominatorSecretary of State for Defence
AppointerPrime Minister
Subject to formal approval by the Queen-in-Council
Term lengthNot fixed (typically 2–4 years)
Inaugural holderAdmiral Edward Ashmore

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[]

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,[1] 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.[2] Operational control was delegated to FOSNI, Flag Officer Plymouth, Flag Officer Gibraltar, Flag Officer Malta, , 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).[3] In the late 1980s two small patrol craft, , , 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).[4] 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.[5]

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 2012.

Responsibilities[]

Structure in 2010

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.[6] 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[6][dead link] 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.[6][dead link]

By the 2010s, CINCFLEET was supported by:[6][dead link]

  • 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),[7] who oversaw the commander of the UK Task Group (COMUKTG), subsequently renamed as the commander Amphibious Task Group (COMATG)[8][9][10] 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".[11]

Commanders-in-Chief Fleet[]

The Commanders-in-Chief were:[12]

Image Rank Name Term began Term ended
No image.png Admiral of the Fleet Sir Edward Ashmore November 1971 December 1973
No image.png Admiral of the Fleet Sir Terence Lewin December 1973 October 1975
John Treacher (1977).jpg Admiral of the Fleet Sir John Treacher October 1975 March 1977
No image.png Admiral of the Fleet Sir Henry Leach March 1977 May 1979
James Eberle (cropped).jpg Admiral Sir James Eberle May 1979 April 1981
Bust of Lord Fieldhouse (cropped).jpg Admiral of the Fleet Sir John Fieldhouse April 1981 October 1982
No image.png Admiral Sir William Staveley October 1982 June 1985
No image.png Admiral Sir Nicholas Hunt June 1985 May 1987
No image.png Admiral Sir Julian Oswald May 1987 April 1989
No image.png Admiral Sir Benjamin Bathurst April 1989 January 1991
Naval Photo Jock Slater (cropped).jpg Admiral Sir Jock Slater January 1991 December 1992
No image.png Admiral Sir Hugo White December 1992 June 1995
Peter Abbot, Michael Portillo and William J. Perry (Abbot cropped).jpg Admiral Sir Peter Abbott October 1995 September 1997
Defense.gov News Photo 021114-D-2842B-606 (cropped).jpg Admiral Sir Michael Boyce September 1997 September 1998
Stella Maris Mass 2013 Portsmouth Cathedral (9971395596) (Nigel Essenhigh cropped).jpg Admiral Sir Nigel Essenhigh September 1998 November 2000
Tony Ray (17967654632) (cropped).jpg Admiral Sir Alan West November 2000 September 2002
The Queen and Adm Jonathon Band in 2006 (Band cropped).JPG Admiral Sir Jonathon Band September 2002 November 2005
No image.png Admiral Sir James Burnell-Nugent November 2005 November 2007
General Walter L. Sharp walks with Sea Lord Admiral, Sir Mark Stanhope (cropped).jpg Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope November 2007 June 2009
Trevor Soar presents (cropped).jpg Admiral Sir Trevor Soar[13] June 2009 January 2012
1SL George Zambellas 2013-09-08 (cropped).jpg Admiral Sir George Zambellas[14] January 2012 April 2012

Deputy Commander-in-Chief, and Chief of Staff[]

Deputy Commanders have included:[12]

  • Vice Admiral Sir Roy Newman, Feb 1990–June 1992
  • Vice Admiral Sir Geoffrey Biggs, June 1992–June 1994
  • Vice Admiral Sir Jonathan Tod, June 1994–June 1997
  • Vice Admiral Sir Jeremy Blackham, June 1997–Jan 1999
  • Vice Admiral Sir Fabian Malbon, Jan 1999–May 2001
  • Vice Admiral Sir Jonathon Band, May 2001–July 2002
  • Vice Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope, July 2002–June 2004
  • Vice Admiral Sir Timothy McClement, June 2004–Oct 2006
  • Vice Admiral Paul Boissier, Oct 2006–July 2009
  • Vice Admiral Sir Richard Ibbotson, July 2009–Jan 2011
  • Vice Admiral Sir George Zambellas, Jan 2011–Dec 2011
  • Vice Admiral Philip Jones Dec 2011–April 2012[12]

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.[15]

# post holder see dates notes/ref
1. Chief of Staff Fleet
Main article: Chief of Staff Fleet
 1971-2012 In 1990 became a joint title of the Deputy C-in-C[16]
2. Chief of Staff, (Warfare) Fleet
Main article:
2002-2006 became CoS Capability[17]
3. Chief of Staff (Capability) Fleet
Main article:
2006-2012 [18]
4. Assistant Chief of Staff, Operations
Main article:
1971-2010 became ACOS Operations (Navy) in 2002[19]
5. Assistant Chief of Staff, Plans
Main article:
1971-2012 [20]
6. Assistant Chief of Staff, Warfare
Main article:
1973-2012 [21]
7. Command Secretary, Fleet
Main article:
1971-2012 [22][23]

Subordinate commands[]

At various times included:[24][25][26][27][28]


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

Structure charts[]


Flag Officer First Flotilla, 1989[]

The Leander-class frigate HMS Phoebe in the Hampton Roads

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

Flag Officer, Second Flotilla, 1989[]

The Type 42 destroyer HMS Birmingham entering Port Everglades in Florida

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

Flag Officer, Third Flotilla, 1989[]

HMS Invincible during NATO 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.

  • Third Flotilla, HMNB Portsmouth[31]
    • HMS Invincible, HMS Illustrious (refit at HMNB Devonport), HMS Ark Royal, HMS Intrepid, RFA Argus, RFA Engadine (decommissioned March 1989), HMS Challenger (K07), HMS Endurance (ice patrol vessel)

Flag Officer Scotland and Northern Ireland, 1989[]

The Hunt-class mine countermeasures vessel HMS Quorn 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 Rosyth, NATO Commander Northern Sub-Area (NORLANT) and Commander Nore Sub-Area Channel (NORECHAN).[32] 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).[33][34] 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 Naval Air Command, 1989[]

A Sea King HAS.6 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.

  • Flag Officer Naval Air Command (FONAC), RNAS Yeovilton[35]
    • RNAS Prestwick:
      • 819 Naval Air Squadron (Anti-submarine, Sea King HAS.5)
      • 824 Naval Air Squadron (Anti-submarine, Sea King HAS.6) (disbanded August 1989)
    • RNAS Yeovilton:
    • RNAS Culdrose:
      • 705 Naval Air Squadron (Basic helicopter training, Gazelle HT.2/HT.3)
      • 706 Naval Air Squadron (Sea King training, various Sea King)
        • Sea King Training Unit (RAF unit attached to 706 Naval Air Squadron, 2x Sea King HAR.3)
      • 750 Naval Air Squadron (Observer training, Jetstream T.2)
      • 771 Naval Air Squadron (Search & Rescue, Sea King HAR.5)
      • 814 Naval Air Squadron (Anti-submarine, Sea King HAS.5)
      • 820 Naval Air Squadron (Anti-submarine, Sea King HAS.6)
      • 826 Naval Air Squadron (Anti-submarine, Sea King HAS.6)
      • 849 Naval Air Squadron (Airborne early warning and control, 10x Sea King AEW.2A)
    • RNAS Portland:
      • 702 Naval Air Squadron (Training, Lynx HAS.3S)
      • 772 Naval Air Squadron (Air assault, Sea King HC.4)
      • 810 Naval Air Squadron (Anti-submarine, Sea King HAS.5, began conversion to HAS.6 in October 1989)
      • 815 Naval Air Squadron (Frigate & destroyer helicopters, Lynx HAS.3S, most deployed on frigates and destroyers at sea)
      • 829 Naval Air Squadron (Frigate & destroyer helicopters, Lynx HAS.3S, most deployed on frigates and destroyers at sea)
      • Lynx HMA.8 trials unit (formed in September 1989)
    • Roborough:
      • (Chipmunk T.10)

Commandant General Royal Marines, 1989[]

Royal Marines 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 command forces."[36]

  • Commandant General Royal Marines, London
    • 3 Commando Brigade, Plymouth
      • 40 Commando, Taunton
      • 42 Commando, Bickleigh
      • 45 Commando, Arbroath
      • 4 Assault Squadron, Plymouth (4x LCU Mk.9, 4x LCVP Mk.4, 2x Centurion BARV), served aboard HMS Fearless (L10)
      • 539 Assault Squadron, Plymouth (4x LCU Mk.9, 4x LCVP Mk.4, 2x Centurion BARV), served aboard HMS Intrepid (L11)
      • 3 Commando Brigade Air Squadron, RNAS Yeovilton (12x Gazelle AH.1, 6x Lynx AH.1)
      • , Royal Marines (Reserve), Plymouth
    • Comacchio Group, HMNB Clyde, guarded HMNB Clyde and the UK's naval nuclear weapons stored at RNAD Coulport
    • Royal Marines Police, Plymouth
    • Commando Training Centre Royal Marines, Lympstone
    • Royal Marines Reserve (RMR), Plymouth
      • RMR Bristol, Bristol
      • RMR London, Wandsworth
      • RMR Merseyside, Liverpool
      • RMR Scotland, Edinburgh
      • RMR Tyne, Newcastle

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

See also[]

  • Commander-in-Chief, Land Forces
  • Commander-in-Chief of Air Command

References[]

  1. ^ "Maritime Affairs". The Army Quarterly and Defence Journal. 101: 404. 1971.
  2. ^ Commander R.W. Moland RN. "One Fleet: A Structural Outline". RUSI Journal. 117 (666): 19.
  3. ^ "Jane's Defence Weekly". 8. 1987: 489. Retrieved 24 November 2017. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  4. ^ NATO Handbook07. 25 March 1993. Archived from the original on 11 June 2016. Retrieved 29 May 2008.
  5. ^ Young, Thomas-Durrell (1 June 1997). "Command in NATO After the Cold War: Alliance, National, and Multinational Considerations". U.S. Army Strategic Studies Institute. p. 11. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  6. ^ a b c d "Navy Command Headquarters". Royal Navy. Archived from the original on 29 May 2010.
  7. ^ "Fleet Battle Staff Headquarters". Archived from the original on 13 February 2011.
  8. ^ "Commander UK Maritime Force". Archived from the original on 11 February 2011.
  9. ^ "Cougar". Archived from the original on 11 December 2010.
  10. ^ "New Admiral Visits Fleet Flagship". Archived from the original on 12 June 2011.
  11. ^ "Commander UK Amphibious Force". Archived from the original on 16 March 2011.
  12. ^ a b c "Royal Navy Senior Appointments" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 March 2012.
  13. ^ "Admiral Sir Trevor Soar takes up Navy fleet position". Portsmouth News. 11 June 2009. Archived from the original on 12 September 2012. Retrieved 12 June 2009.
  14. ^ "Admiral George Zambellas takes up role as CinC Fleet". British Forces News. 6 January 2012. Archived from the original on 3 February 2012. Retrieved 11 January 2012.
  15. ^ Mackie, Colin (January 2019). "Royal Navy Senior Appointments from 1865" (PDF). gulabin. C. Mackie. Retrieved 12 February 2019.
  16. ^ Mackie 2019 p.135-136.
  17. ^ Mackie 2019 p.135.
  18. ^ Mackie 2019 p.135-136.
  19. ^ Mackie 2019 p.135-136.
  20. ^ Mackie 2019 p.135-136.
  21. ^ Mackie 2019 p.135-136.
  22. ^ The Civil Service Yearbook 1998 p.164.
  23. ^ The Civil Service Yearbook 2002 p.170.
  24. ^ Paxton, J. (2016). The Statesman's Year-Book 1987-88. Springer. p. 1303. ISBN 9780230271166.
  25. ^ Brown, David (1987). The Royal Navy and Falklands War. Pen and Sword. p. 53. ISBN 9781473817791.
  26. ^ Eberle, Sir James (2007). Wider horizons: naval policy & international affairs. Roundtuit Publishing. p. 16. ISBN 9781904499176.
  27. ^ Roberts, John (2009). Safeguarding the Nation: The Story of the Modern Royal Navy. Seaforth Publishing. p. 236. ISBN 9781848320437.
  28. ^ Paxton, J. (2016). The Statesman's Year-Book 1990-91. Springer. p. 1315. ISBN 9780230271197.
  29. ^ a b c Smith, Gordon (12 July 2015). "Royal Navy Organisation and Ship Deployment 1947–2013: Summary of Fleet Organization 1972–1981". www.naval-history.net. Gordon Smith. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  30. ^ Watson, Dr. Graham. "Royal Navy Organisation and Ship Deployments 1947–2013". Retrieved 29 June 2017.
  31. ^ Sharpe, Richard (1989). Jane's Fighting Ships 1989–1990. Jane's Information Group. p. 651.
  32. ^ "Appointments". Navy News. 1 May 1983. Retrieved 5 July 2017.
  33. ^ "Flag Officer Plymouth". Navy News. 1 August 1982. Retrieved 5 July 2017.
  34. ^ "Notice Board". Navy News. 30 May 1992. Retrieved 5 July 2017.
  35. ^ "World's Air Forces 1989". Flight International: 61–62. 29 November 1989. Retrieved 19 November 2017.
  36. ^ Antony Beevor (1991). Inside the British Army. Corgi Books. p. 240. ISBN 0-552-13818-5.

Further reading[]

  • Rear Admiral Colin Cooke‐Priest CB (1993). "The naval air command in the 1990s". The RUSI Journal. 138 (2): 53–58. Cooke-Priest was Flag Officer, Naval Aviation.
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