The Commander-in-Chief Fleet (CINCFLEET) was the admiral responsible for the operations of the ships, submarines and aircraft of the British

Royal Navy The Royal Navy (RN) is the United Kingdom's naval warfare force. Although warships were used by Kingdom of England, English and Kingdom of Scotland, Scottish kings from the early medieval period, the first major maritime engagements were foug ...

from 1971 until April 2012. The post was subordinate to the

First Sea Lord The First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff (1SL/CNS) is the military head of the Royal Navy and Naval Service of the United Kingdom. The First Sea Lord is usually the highest ranking and most senior admiral to serve in the British Armed F ...

, 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 {{unsourced, date=February 2021 A ministry of defence or defense (see spelling differences), also known as a department of defence or defense, is an often-used name for the part of a government responsible for matters of defence, found in state ...

it became known as the Navy Department. 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, with his headquarters at the Northwood Headquarters,

Middlesex Middlesex (; abbreviation: Middx) is a historic county in southeast England. Its area is almost entirely within the wider urbanised area of London and mostly within the ceremonial county of Greater London, with small sections in neighbourin ...

England England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Wales to its west and Scotland to its north. The Irish Sea lies northwest and the Celtic Sea to the southwest. It is separated from continental Europe ...

. 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 The Flag Officer, Second Flotilla was a senior British Royal Navy appointment from 1971 to 1992. History After the creation of the single Commander-in-Chief Fleet post in 1971, its subordinate commands were reorganised. Three major sub-commands ...

; 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. Operational control was delegated to FOSNI,

Flag Officer Plymouth The Commander-in-Chief, Plymouth, was a senior commander of the Royal Navy for hundreds of years. Plymouth Command was a name given to the units, establishments, and staff operating under the admiral's command. Between 1845 and 1896, this offic ...

Flag Officer Gibraltar British Forces Gibraltar is the British Armed Forces stationed in the British overseas territory of Gibraltar. Gibraltar is used primarily as a training area, thanks to its good climate and rocky terrain, and as a stopover for aircraft and ships ...

, Flag Officer Malta,

Senior Naval Officer West Indies Senior (shortened as Sr.) means "the elder" in Latin and is often used as a suffix for the elder of two or more people in the same family with the same given name, usually a parent or grandparent. It may also refer to: * Senior (name), a surname ...

, Commander, ANZUK Naval Forces, and Commodore-in-Charge, Hong Kong. The

, and Gibraltar Naval Base Commander, a

Rear Admiral Rear admiral is a senior naval flag officer rank, equivalent to a major general and air vice marshal and above that of a commodore and captain, but below that of a vice admiral. It is regarded as a two star " admiral" rank. It is often rega ...

, double-hatted as

NATO The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO, ; french: Organisation du traité de l'Atlantique nord, ), also called the North Atlantic Alliance, is an intergovernmental military alliance between 30 member states – 28 European and two No ...

Commander Gibraltar Mediterranean Allied Naval Forces Southern Europe (NAVSOUTH) was a Component Command in NATO's Allied Forces Southern Europe (AFSOUTH). Between 1951 and 1953, after the establishment of AFSOUTH, Commander-in-Chief Allied Forces Southern Europe, initially Admir ...

(COMGIBMED). 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). 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. In 1992 Fleet Headquarters moved to

Portsmouth Portsmouth ( ) is a port and city status in the United Kingdom, city in the ceremonial county of Hampshire in southern England. The city of Portsmouth has been a Unitary authorities of England, unitary authority since 1 April 1997 and is admi ...

. In 2005, the

Second Sea Lord The Second Sea Lord and Deputy Chief of Naval Staff (formerly Second Sea Lord) is deputy to the First Sea Lord and the second highest-ranking officer to currently serve in the Royal Navy and is responsible for personnel and naval shore establish ...

, reduced in rank from full Admiral to Vice-Admiral, came under CINCFLEET's command, a situation that lasted until the

Levene Levene is a surname. Notable people with the surname include: * Allan Levene, (born 1949 or 1950), British American information technology specialist and political candidate *George Levene (1885–1930), American football player and coach at the co ...

reforms of 2012.

Responsibilities

Full command of the Fleet and responsibility for the Fleet element of military operational capability including the

Royal Marines The Corps of Royal Marines (RM), also known as the Royal Marines Commandos, are the UK's special operations capable commando force, amphibious light infantry and also one of the five fighting arms of the Royal Navy. The Corps of Royal Marine ...

and the

Royal Fleet Auxiliary The Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) is a naval auxiliary fleet owned by the UK's Ministry of Defence. It provides logistical and operational support to the Royal Navy and Royal Marines. The RFA ensures the Royal Navy is supplied and supported b ...

, was delegated to Commander-in-Chief Fleet, as is described in official descriptions circa 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

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. By the 2010s, CINCFLEET was supported by: * 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 The Commandant General Royal Marines is the professional head of the Royal Marines. The title has existed since 1943. The role is held by a General who is assisted by a Deputy Commandant General, with the rank of brigadier. This position is not t ...

, who was Commandant General Royal Marines * Commander United Kingdom Maritime Forces (previously known as Commander UK Task Group), who oversaw the commander of the UK Task Group (COMUKTG), subsequently renamed as the commander Amphibious Task Group (COMATG) 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".

Commanders-in-Chief Fleet

The Commanders-in-Chief were:

Deputy Commander-in-Chief, and Chief of Staff

Deputy Commanders have included: * Vice Admiral Sir

Roy Newman Vice-admiral Sir Roy Thomas Newman, (born 8 September 1936) is a former Royal Navy officer who became Flag Officer, Plymouth. Naval career Educated at Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School in Barnet, Newman joined the Royal Navy in 1954.Debrett's P ...

, Feb 1990–June 1992 * Vice Admiral Sir

Geoffrey Biggs Vice Admiral Sir Geoffrey William Roger Biggs, (23 November 1938 – 29 June 2002) was a senior Royal Navy officer who served as Deputy Commander-in-Chief Fleet from 1992 to 1995.''Vice-Admiral Sir Geoffrey Biggs.'' The Times (London, England), ...

, June 1992–June 1994 * Vice Admiral Sir Jonathan Tod, June 1994–June 1997 * Vice Admiral Sir

Jeremy Blackham Vice Admiral Sir Jeremy Joe Blackham, (born 10 September 1943) is a former Royal Navy officer who served as Deputy Commander-in-Chief Fleet. Naval career Blackham joined the Royal Navy in 1961. He became commanding officer successively of th ...

, 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 Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Pentreath McClement, (born 16 May 1951) is a former Royal Navy officer who served as Deputy Commander-in-Chief Fleet from 2004 to 2006. Naval career Educated at Douai School and the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, M ...

, June 2004–Oct 2006 * Vice Admiral Paul Boissier, Oct 2006–July 2009 * Vice Admiral Sir

Richard Ibbotson Vice Admiral Sir Richard Jeffrey Ibbotson, (born 27 June 1954) is a former Royal Navy officer who served as Deputy Commander-in-Chief Fleet. Naval career Educated at Durham University, Ibbotson joined the Royal Navy in 1975 and specialized i ...

, July 2009–Jan 2011 * Vice Admiral Sir George Zambellas, Jan 2011–Dec 2011 * Vice Admiral

Philip Jones Philip, Phillip, Phil or Phill Jones may refer to: Sports *Phil Jones (American football) (born 1946), American football coach * Phil Jones (footballer, born 1961), English footballer who played for Sheffield United in the Football League * Phil J ...

Dec 2011–April 2012

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.

Subordinate commands

At various times included:

Structure charts

Flag Officer First Flotilla, 1989

HMS Phoebe (F42) entering Hampton Roads 1990

The Flag Officer First Flotilla (FOF1) was a

rear admiral Rear admiral is a senior naval flag officer rank, equivalent to a major general and air vice marshal and above that of a commodore and captain, but below that of a vice admiral. It is regarded as a two star " admiral" rank. It is often rega ...

based

HMNB Portsmouth His Majesty's Naval Base, Portsmouth (HMNB Portsmouth) is one of three operating bases in the United Kingdom for the Royal Navy (the others being HMNB Clyde and HMNB Devonport). Portsmouth Naval Base is part of the city of Portsmouth; it is l ...

who commanded the navy's First Flotilla. * First Flotilla,

** 1st Frigate Squadron, HMNB Devonport with *** Type 22 frigates (Batch 2): , , , , , **

2nd Frigate Squadron The 2nd Frigate Squadron was an administrative unit of the Royal Navy from 1947 to 2002. Operational history During its existence, the squadron included ''Black Swan''-class, Type 15, Type 16, Leander-class and Type 22 frigates. The squadro ...

, HMNB Devonport with *** Type 22 frigates (Batch 1): , , , ** 5th Destroyer Squadron,

with ***

Type 42 destroyer The Type 42 or ''Sheffield'' class, was a class of fourteen guided-missile destroyers that served in the Royal Navy.Marriott, Leo: ''Royal Navy Destroyers since 1945'', , Ian Allan Ltd, 1989 A further two ships of this class were built for and ...

s: , , , , , ** 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

was a

based HMNB Devonport who commanded the navy's Second Flotilla. * Second Flotilla, with ships based HMNB Devonport: ** 3rd Destroyer Squadron, RN Dockyard Rosyth with ***

s: , , , , , ** 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 8 (eight) is the natural number following 7 and preceding 9. In mathematics 8 is: * a composite number, its proper divisors being , , and . It is twice 4 or four times 2. * a power of two, being 2 (two cubed), and is the first number of t ...

, HMNB Devonport with *** Type 22 frigates (Batch 3): , , (commissioned 4 May 1990),

Flag Officer, Third Flotilla, 1989

The

Flag Officer, Third Flotilla The Flag Officer, Third Flotilla was the senior Royal Navy appointment in command of the Third Flotilla from 1979 to 1992. The Western Fleet and Far East Fleet were merged into the single Commander-in-Chief Fleet in 1971. He had three new sea ...

was a

based at

who doubled as NATO Commander Anti-Submarine Warfare Striking Force. In 1989 Vice Admiral

Alan Grose Vice Admiral Sir Alan Grose KBE (born 24 September 1937) is a former Royal Navy officer who became Flag Officer, Plymouth. Naval career Educated at Strode's School and the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, Grose joined the Royal Navy in 1957.Deb ...

held this appointment. *

Third Flotilla The Flag Officer, Third Flotilla was the senior Royal Navy appointment in command of the Third Flotilla from 1979 to 1992. The Western Fleet and Far East Fleet were merged into the single Commander-in-Chief Fleet in 1971. He had three new se ...

** , (refit at HMNB Devonport), , ,

RFA Argus RFA ''Argus'' is a ship of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary operated by the Ministry of Defence under the Blue Ensign. Italian-built, ''Argus'' was formerly the container ship ''Contender Bezant''. The ship was requisitioned in 1982 for service in th ...

RFA Engadine RFA ''Engadine'' (K08) was a helicopter support ship of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. The need for ''Engadine'' was seen in the mid-1960s as more and more helicopters were deployed from Royal Navy aircraft carriers and surface combatants. The ...

(decommissioned March 1989), , HMS ''Endurance'' (ice

patrol vessel A patrol boat (also referred to as a patrol craft, patrol ship, or patrol vessel) is a relatively small naval vessel generally designed for coastal defence, border security, or law enforcement. There are many designs for patrol boats, and th ...

)

Flag Officer Scotland and Northern Ireland, 1989

HMS Quorn is pictured as she departs from Portsmouth

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 Scotland (, ) is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Covering the northern third of the island of Great Britain, mainland Scotland has a border with England to the southeast and is otherwise surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to th ...

and

Northern Ireland Northern Ireland ( ga, Tuaisceart Éireann ; sco, label=Ulster-Scots, Norlin Airlann) is a part of the United Kingdom, situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, that is variously described as a country, province or region. North ...

and double-hatted as Naval Base Commander at Rosyth,

Commander Northern Sub-Area (NORLANT) and

Commander Nore Sub-Area Channel Allied Command Channel (ACCHAN) was one of three major North Atlantic Treaty Organization ( NATO) commands from 1952 to 1994. Commander-in-Chief Channel was a Major NATO Commander (MNC). The Command was established in 1952 to defend the sea areas ...

(NORECHAN). The main unit under his command was the Mine Countermeasures Flotilla based at

Royal Naval Dockyard Rosyth Rosyth Dockyard is a large naval dockyard on the Firth of Forth at Rosyth, Fife, Scotland, owned by Babcock Marine, which formerly undertook refitting of Royal Navy surface vessels and submarines. Before its privatisation in the 1990s it was for ...

on the

Firth of Forth The Firth of Forth () is the estuary, or firth, of several Scottish rivers including the River Forth. It meets the North Sea with Fife on the north coast and Lothian on the south. Name ''Firth'' is a cognate of ''fjord'', a Norse word meanin ...

, 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 Scotland and Northern Ireland, RAF Pitreavie Castle,

Rosyth Rosyth ( gd, Ros Fhìobh, "headland of Fife") is a town on the Firth of Forth, south of the centre of Dunfermline. According to the census of 2011, the town has a population of 13,440. The new town was founded as a Garden city-style subur ...

Mine Countermeasures Flotilla Mine, mines, miners or mining may refer to: Extraction or digging *Miner, a person engaged in mining or digging * Mining, extraction of mineral resources from the ground through a mine Grammar *Mine, a first-person English possessive pronoun M ...

*** 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,

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 1 (one, unit, unity) is a number representing a single or the only entity. 1 is also a numerical digit and represents a single unit of counting or measurement. For example, a line segment of ''unit length'' is a line segment of length 1. I ...

, manned by the

Royal Naval Reserve The Royal Naval Reserve (RNR) is one of the two volunteer reserve forces of the Royal Navy in the United Kingdom. Together with the Royal Marines Reserve, they form the Maritime Reserve. The present RNR was formed by merging the original Ro ...

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 vessel The Bird-class patrol vessel was a class of large patrol boat built for the Royal Navy. There were five in total: HMS Kingfisher (P260), ''Kingfisher'', HMS Cygnet (P261), ''Cygnet'', HMS Peterel (P262), ''Peterel'', HMS Sandpiper (P263), ''Sand ...

s: HMS ''Cygnet'', , HMS ''Redpole''

Flag Officer Plymouth, 1989

The

was a vice admiral based at Admiralty House, who commanded the navy's units in

and

Wales Wales ( cy, Cymru ) is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is bordered by England to the Wales–England border, east, the Irish Sea to the north and west, the Celtic Sea to the south west and the ...

and double-hatted as Naval Base Commander Devonport,

Commander Central Sub-Area (CENTLANT) and Commander Plymouth Sub-Area Channel (PLYMCHAN). 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

based at Northwood Headquarters, who commanded the Royal Navy Submarine Service and double-hatted as

Commander Submarine Force Eastern Atlantic The Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic (SACLANT) was one of two supreme commanders of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), the other being the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR). The SACLANT led Allied Command Atlantic was based at ...

(COMSUBEASTLANT). * Flag Officer Submarines (FOSM), Northwood Headquarters,

Eastbury Eastbury may refer to: Places called: * Eastbury, Berkshire * Eastbury, Hertfordshire * Eastbury Manor House Institutions called: * Eastbury Farm JMI School This page provides brief details of primary schools in the borough of Three Rivers i ...

***

1st Submarine Squadron First or 1st is the ordinal form of the number one (#1). First or 1st may also refer to: * World record, specifically the first instance of a particular achievement Arts and media Music * 1$T, American rapper, singer-songwriter, DJ, and rec ...

, 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 His Majesty's Naval Base, Clyde (HMNB Clyde; also HMS ''Neptune''), primarily sited at Faslane on the Gare Loch, is one of three operating bases in the United Kingdom for the Royal Navy (the others being HMNB Devonport and HMNB Portsmouth). ...

with **** s: , , **** s: (refit at RN Dockyard Rosyth), , **** s: , (refit at HMNB Devonport) **** s: , , *** 10th Submarine Squadron, HMNB Clyde with **** ''Resolution''-class

ballistic missile submarine A ballistic missile submarine is a submarine capable of deploying submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) with nuclear warheads. The United States Navy's hull classification symbols for ballistic missile submarines are SSB and SSBN � ...

s: , , (refit at RN Dockyard Rosyth),

Flag Officer Naval Air Command, 1989

Westland Sea King HAS6, UK - Navy AN1377450

The Flag Officer Naval Air Command was a

based at RNAS Yeovilton, who commanded the

Fleet Air Arm The Fleet Air Arm (FAA) is one of the five fighting arms of the Royal Navy and is responsible for the delivery of naval air power both from land and at sea. The Fleet Air Arm operates the F-35 Lightning II for maritime strike, the AW159 Wil ...

. * Flag Officer Naval Air Command (FONAC), RNAS Yeovilton ** 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 707 Naval Air Squadron (707 NAS) was a Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm. Aircraft operated The squadron operated a variety of different aircraft and versions: * Fairey Swordfish II & III * Fairey Barracuda II & III * Avro Ans ...

(

Air assault Air assault is the movement of ground-based military forces by vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft—such as the helicopter—to seize and hold key terrain which has not been fully secured, and to directly engage enemy forces behind ...

, 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 The Dassault Falcon 20 is a French business jet developed and manufactured by Dassault Aviation. The first business jet developed by the firm, it became the first of a family of business jets to be produced under the same name; of these, both ...

) ** RNAS Culdrose: ***

705 Naval Air Squadron 705 Naval Air Squadron was first formed as a flight in 1936 from No 447 Flight Royal Air Force and operated Swordfish torpedo bombers from battlecruisers. It achieved squadron status in 1939 before being disbanded in 1940. The squadron was re-form ...

(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 814 Naval Air Squadron or 814 NAS, nicknamed the Flying Tigers, is a squadron of the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm. It is currently equipped with the AgustaWestland Merlin HM2 anti-submarine warfare helicopter and is based at Royal Naval Air Stati ...

(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 772 Naval Air Squadron (772 NAS) was a Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm. History The squadron was created as a Fleet Requirements Unit on 28 September 1939, from flight 'X' of 771 Naval Air Squadron, which up to that mome ...

(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 815 Naval Air Squadron is a Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm squadron flying the AgustaWestland Wildcat HMA.2 helicopter and is the Navy's front line Wildcat Naval Air Squadron. The squadron is based at RNAS Yeovilton (HMS Heron) in Somerset. The squadro ...

(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 Flying may refer to: * Flight, the process of flying * Aviation, the creation and operation of aircraft Music Albums * ''Flying'' (Grammatrain album), 1997 * ''Flying'' (Jonathan Fagerlund album), 2008 * ''Flying'' (UFO album), 1971 * '' ...

( Chipmunk T.10)

Commandant General Royal Marines, 1989

The Commandant General Royal Marines, in 1989

Lieutenant General Lieutenant general (Lt Gen, LTG and similar) is a three-star military rank (NATO code OF-8) used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages, where the title of lieutenant general was held by the second-in-command on the ...

Sir Martin Garrod based at

Whitehall Whitehall is a road and area in the City of Westminster, Central London. The road forms the first part of the A3212 road from Trafalgar Square to Chelsea. It is the main thoroughfare running south from Trafalgar Square towards Parliament ...

, was the service head of the

. 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." * Commandant General Royal Marines,

London London is the capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary dow ...

**Major-General, Commando Forces ** 3 Commando Brigade,

Plymouth Plymouth () is a port city and unitary authority in South West England. It is located on the south coast of Devon, approximately south-west of Exeter and south-west of London. It is bordered by Cornwall to the west and south-west. Plymout ...

*** 40 Commando,

Taunton Taunton () is the county town of Somerset, England, with a 2011 population of 69,570. Its thousand-year history includes a 10th-century monastic foundation, Taunton Castle, which later became a priory. The Normans built a castle owned by t ...

*** 42 Commando, Bickleigh *** 45 Commando,

Arbroath Arbroath () or Aberbrothock ( gd, Obar Bhrothaig ) is a former royal burgh and the largest town in the council area of Angus, Scotland, with a population of 23,902. It lies on the North Sea coast some ENE of Dundee and SSW of Aberdeen. ...

*** 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 3 Commando Brigade Air Squadron, Royal Marines, was formed in 1968 in Singapore by the amalgamation of three Commando Air Troops and the Brigade Flight. The squadron moved to Plymouth in 1971 and the two remaining UK Commando Air Troops became p ...

, RNAS Yeovilton (12x Gazelle AH.1, 6x Lynx AH.1) *** 2 Raiding Squadron, Royal Marines (Reserve), Plymouth **

Comacchio Group The 43 Commando Fleet Protection Group Royal Marines (43 Cdo FP Gp RM), formerly Comacchio Company Royal Marines (1980–1983), Comacchio Group Royal Marines (1983–2001) and Fleet Protection Group Royal Marines (2001–2012), is a 550-man un ...

, 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 Bristol () is a city, ceremonial county and unitary authority in England. Situated on the River Avon, it is bordered by the ceremonial counties of Gloucestershire to the north and Somerset to the south. Bristol is the most populous city i ...

*** RMR London,

Wandsworth Wandsworth Town () is a district of south London, within the London Borough of Wandsworth southwest of Charing Cross. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London. Toponymy Wandsworth takes its name ...

*** RMR Merseyside,

Liverpool Liverpool is a City status in the United Kingdom, city and metropolitan borough in Merseyside, England. With a population of in 2019, it is the List of English districts by population, 10th largest English district by population and its E ...

*** RMR Scotland,

Edinburgh Edinburgh ( ; gd, Dùn Èideann ) is the capital city of Scotland and one of its 32 Council areas of Scotland, council areas. Historically part of the county of Midlothian (interchangeably Edinburghshire before 1921), it is located in Lothian ...

*** RMR Tyne, Newcastle Note: "(V)" denotes

British Army The British Army is the principal land warfare force of the United Kingdom, a part of the British Armed Forces along with the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force. , the British Army comprises 79,380 regular full-time personnel, 4,090 Gur ...

reserve units.