Commander-in-Chief Fleet explained

Post:	Commander-in-Chief Fleet
Insignia:	Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg
Insigniasize:	150px
Insigniacaption:	Ensign of the Royal Navy
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

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.^[1] ^[2]

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,^[3] 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.^[4] 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).^[5] 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).^[6] 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.^[7]

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.^[8]

Responsibilities

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.^[9] 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^[9] 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.^[9]

By the 2010s, CINCFLEET was supported by:^[9]

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),^[10] who oversaw the commander of the UK Task Group (COMUKTG), subsequently renamed as the commander Amphibious Task Group (COMATG)^[11] ^[12] ^[13] 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".^[14]

Commanders-in-Chief Fleet

The Commanders-in-Chief were:^[15]

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

Rank	Name	Term began	Term ended
Admiral of the Fleet	Sir Edward Ashmore	November 1971	December 1973
Admiral of the Fleet	Sir Terence Lewin	December 1973	October 1975
Admiral of the Fleet	Sir John Treacher	October 1975	March 1977
Admiral	Sir Henry Leach	March 1977	May 1979
Admiral	Sir James Eberle	May 1979	April 1981
Admiral of the Fleet	Sir John Fieldhouse	April 1981	October 1982
Admiral	Sir William Staveley	October 1982	June 1985
Admiral	Sir Nicholas Hunt	June 1985	May 1987
Admiral	Sir Julian Oswald	May 1987	April 1989
Admiral	Sir Benjamin Bathurst	April 1989	January 1991
Admiral	Sir Jock Slater	January 1991	December 1992
Admiral	Sir Hugo White	December 1992	June 1995
Admiral	Sir Peter Abbott	October 1995	September 1997
Admiral	Sir Michael Boyce	September 1997	September 1998
Admiral	Sir Nigel Essenhigh	September 1998	November 2000
Admiral	Sir Alan West	November 2000	September 2002
Admiral	Sir Jonathon Band	September 2002	November 2005
Admiral	Sir James Burnell-Nugent	November 2005	November 2007
Admiral	Sir Mark Stanhope	November 2007	June 2009
Admiral	Sir Trevor Soar^[16]	June 2009	January 2012
Admiral	Sir George Zambellas^[17]	January 2012	April 2012

Deputy Commander-in-Chief, and Chief of Staff

Deputy Commanders have included:^[15]

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^[15]

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.^[18]

	post holder	dates	notes/ref
1.	Chief of Staff Fleet	1971-2012	In 1990 became a joint title of the Deputy C-in-C^[19]
2.	Chief of Staff, (Warfare) Fleet	2002-2006	became CoS Capability^[20]
3.	Chief of Staff (Capability) Fleet	2006-2012	^[21]
4.	Assistant Chief of Staff, Operations	1971-2010	became ACOS Operations (Navy) in 2002^[22]
5.	Assistant Chief of Staff, Plans	1971-2012	^[23]
6.	Assistant Chief of Staff, Warfare	1973-2012	^[24]
7.	Command Secretary, Fleet	1971-2012	^[25] ^[26]

Subordinate commands

At various times included:^[27] ^[28] ^[29] ^[30] ^[31]

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

Structure charts

Fleet structure (1971 to 1981)^[32]

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

1st Frigate Squadron (1972-1981)
2nd Frigate Squadron (1972-1981)
3rd Frigate Squadron (1972-1977)
4th Frigate Squadron (1972-1976)
5th Frigate Squadron (1976-1977)
6th Frigate Squadron (1977-1981)
6th Frigate Squadron (1980-1981)
3rd Destroyer Squadron (1980-1995)

2nd Flotilla
Units

4th Frigate Squadron (1976-1981)
5th Frigate Squadron (1972-1976)
6th Frigate Squadron (1972-1976)
7th Frigate Squadron (1972-1980)
8th Frigate Squadron (1972-1980)
5th Destroyer Squadron (1980-1992)

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)

Fleet structure (1981 to 2002)

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

3rd Destroyer Squadron (1980-1990)
1st Frigate Squadron (1981-1990)
2nd Frigate Squadron (1981-1990)
5th Frigate Squadron (1981-1990)
6th Frigate Squadron (1981-1990)

Second Flotilla

Units

3rd Frigate Squadron (1981-1990)
4th Frigate Squadron (1981-1990)
7th Frigate Squadron (1981-1990)
8th Frigate Squadron (1981-1990)
5th Destroyer Squadron (1981-1990)

Surface Flotilla
Units

3rd Destroyer Squadron (1990-2002)
5th Destroyer Squadron (1990-2002)
1st Frigate Squadron (1990-2002)
2nd Frigate Squadron (1990-2002)
3rd Frigate Squadron (1990-2002)
4th Frigate Squadron (1990-2002)
5th Frigate Squadron (1990-2002)
6th Frigate Squadron (1990-2002)
7th Frigate Squadron (1990-2002)
8th Frigate Squadron (1990-2002)

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)

Fleet structure (2002 to 2012)
Parent:	United Kingdom Maritime Forces
Subordinate:	Amphibious Task Group Carrier Strike Group DC UK Maritime Forces UK Task Group Faslane Flotilla Devonport Flotilla Portsmouth Flotilla

Flag Officer First Flotilla, 1989

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

First Flotilla, HMNB Portsmouth^[33]
- 1st Frigate Squadron, HMNB Devonport with
  - Type 22 frigates (Batch 2):,,,,,
- 2nd Frigate Squadron, HMNB Devonport with
  - Type 22 frigates (Batch 1):,,,
- 5th Destroyer Squadron, HMNB Portsmouth with
  - Type 42 destroyers:,,,,,
- 6th Frigate Squadron, HMNB Devonport with
  - s (Batch 3A):,,,,
  - Dartmouth Training Squadron (JFS 1989, p. 651)
    - Type 82 destroyer:, s (Batch 3B):,

Flag Officer, Second Flotilla, 1989

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:,,,,,
- 4th Frigate Squadron, HMNB Devonport with
  - Type 21 frigates:,,,,,
- 7th Frigate Squadron, HMNB Devonport with
  - s (Batch 2):, (Batch 1, decommissioned April 1989),,,,,
- 8th Frigate Squadron, HMNB Devonport with
  - Type 22 frigates (Batch 3):,, (commissioned 4 May 1990),

Flag Officer, Third Flotilla, 1989

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^[34]
- , (refit at HMNB Devonport),,, RFA Argus, RFA Engadine (decommissioned March 1989),, HMS Endurance (ice patrol vessel)

Flag Officer Scotland and Northern Ireland, 1989

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).^[35] 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 Scotland and Northern Ireland, RAF Pitreavie Castle, Rosyth
- Mine Countermeasures Flotilla, Royal Naval Dockyard Rosyth
  - 1st Mine Countermeasures Squadron, RN Dockyard Rosyth with
    - Hunt-class mine countermeasures vessels:,,,
  - 2nd Mine Countermeasures Squadron, RN Dockyard Rosyth with
    - Hunt-class mine countermeasures vessels:,,,,
  - 3rd Mine Countermeasures Squadron, HMNB Portsmouth with
    - s: HMS Hubberston,, HMS Sheraton, HMS Brinton,, HMS Maxton (decommissioned August 1989)
    - : (commissioned 9 June 1989)
  - 4th Mine Countermeasures Squadron, RN Dockyard Rosyth with
    - Hunt-class mine countermeasures vessels:,,,
  - 10th Mine Countermeasures Squadron, manned by the Royal Naval Reserve and each of the squadron's ships assigned to a reserve divisions:
    - s: HMS Waveney, HMS Carron, HMS Dovey, HMS Helford, HMS Humber, HMS Blackwater, HMS Itchen, HMS Helmsdale, HMS Orwell, HMS Ribble, HMS Spey, HMS Arun
  - Fishery Protection Squadron, RN Dockyard Rosyth with:
    - s:, HMS Soberton, HMS Upton
    - Castle-class patrol vessel:
    - Island-class patrol vessels: HMS Anglesey, HMS Alderney, HMS Jersey, HMS Guernsey, HMS Shetland, HMS Orkney, HMS Lindisfarne
  - Northern Ireland Patrol Squadron, Belfast Harbour with
    - s: HMS Cuxton, HMS Kedleston, HMS Nurton, (built with glass-reinforced plastic)
    - Bird-class patrol vessels: HMS Cygnet,, HMS Redpole

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).^[36] ^[37] 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
    - s: (only harbour service), (sold to Canada in 1989), (sold to Canada in 1989),,,,,,
  - 2nd Submarine Squadron, HMNB Devonport with
    - s:, (refit at HMNB Devonport),
    - s:,,,,, (commissioned 12 May 1990)
  - 3rd Submarine Squadron, HMNB Clyde with
    - s:,,
    - s: (refit at RN Dockyard Rosyth),,
    - s:, (refit at HMNB Devonport)
    - s:,,
  - 10th Submarine Squadron, HMNB Clyde with
    - Resolution-class ballistic missile submarines:,, (refit at RN Dockyard Rosyth),

Flag Officer Naval Air Command, 1989

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^[38]
- 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:
  - 707 Naval Air Squadron (Air assault, Sea King HC.4)
  - 800 Naval Air Squadron (Sea Harrier FRS.1, being upgraded to F(A).2)
  - 801 Naval Air Squadron (Sea Harrier FRS.1, being upgraded to F(A).2)
  - 845 Naval Air Squadron (Air assault, Sea King HC.4)
  - 846 Naval Air Squadron (Air assault, Sea King HC.4)
  - 899 Naval Air Squadron (Training, Sea Harrier FRS.1, Sea Harrier T.4A/T.4N, Hunter T.8M)
  - Fleet Requirements and Aircraft Direction Unit (Canberra TT.18, Hunter GA.11/T.8, Dassault Falcon 20)
- 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:
  - Flying Grading Flight (Chipmunk T.10)

Commandant General Royal Marines, 1989

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."^[39]

Commandant General Royal Marines, London
- Major-General, Commando Forces
- 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
  - 539 Assault Squadron, Plymouth (4x LCU Mk.9, 4x LCVP Mk.4, 2x Centurion BARV), served aboard
  - 3 Commando Brigade Air Squadron, RNAS Yeovilton (12x Gazelle AH.1, 6x Lynx AH.1)
  - 2 Raiding Squadron, 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.

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