| Surface Flotilla | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1990 – 2002 |
| Country |
 United Kingdom |
| Branch |
 Royal Navy |
| Size | Flotilla |
| Part of | Commander-in-Chief Fleet |
| Garrison/HQ | HMNB Portsmouth |
| Commanders | |
| First | Vice-Admiral A. Peter Woodhead |
| Ceremonial chief | Rear-Admiral Alexander K. Backus |
The Flag Officer, Surface Flotilla was a senior British Royal Navy appointment the office holder commanded the Surface Flotilla from 1990 to 2002.
History[]
Following the further downsizing of the Royal Navy the Western Fleet and Far East Fleet were merged into the single Commander-in-Chief Fleet in 1971. Within this new structure three major sub-commands were created the First Flotilla, Second Flotilla and Carriers and Amphibious Ships each commanded by a Flag Officer.[1] In 1990 the First Flotilla is re-designated Surface Flotilla. In April 1992, the system was changed when the Third Flotilla was abolished and the remaining two flotilla commanders became: Flag Officer, Surface Flotilla - responsible for operational readiness and training and Flag Officer, UK Task Group - who would command any deployed task group.[2]
Flag Officer Surface Flotilla[]
| Flag Officer, Surface Flotilla (FOSF) | |
|---|---|
 Ensign of the Royal Navy | |
| Navy Department, Ministry of Defence | |
| Reports to | Commander-in-Chief, Fleet |
| Nominator | Secretary of State for Defence |
| Appointer |
Prime Minister Subject to formal approval by the Queen-in-Council |
| Term length | Not fixed (typically 1–4 years) |
| Inaugural holder | Vice-Admiral A. Peter Woodhead |
| Formation | 1990-2002 |
Flag officers commanding[]
Included:[3]
- Vice-Admiral A. Peter Woodhead: 1990-September 1991
- Rear-Admiral A. Bruce Richardson: September 1991-April 1992
- Vice-Admiral the Hon. Sir Nicholas J. Hill-Norton: April–November 1992
- Vice-Admiral Sir Michael C. Boyce: November 1992-April 1995
- Vice-Admiral Sir John R. Brigstocke: April 1995-July 1997
- Rear-Admiral Peter M. Franklyn: July 1997-April 2000
- Rear-Admiral Ian A. Forbes: April 2000-November 2001
- Rear-Admiral Alexander K. Backus: November 2001 – 2002
Surface Flotilla structure[]
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Main components[]
At various times included:
| Unit | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 3rd Destroyer Squadron | 1990-2002 | [5] |
| 5th Destroyer Squadron | 1990-2002 | [6] |
| 1st Frigate Squadron | 1990-2002 | [7] |
| 3rd Frigate Squadron | 1990-2002 | [8] |
| 4th Frigate Squadron | 1990-2002 | [9] |
| 5th Frigate Squadron | 1990-2002 | [10] |
| 6th Frigate Squadron | 1990-2002 | [11] |
| 7th Frigate Squadron | 1990-2002 | [12] |
| 8th Frigate Squadron | 1990-2002 | [13] |
References[]
Footnotes[]
- ↑ Roberts, John (2009) (in en). Safeguarding the Nation: The Story of the Modern Royal Navy. Barnsley, England: Seaforth Publishing. p. 89. ISBN 9781848320437. https://books.google.lk/books?id=jNbZAwAAQBAJ&pg=PT88&dq=First+Flotilla,++1971&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj1y-fk_7DZAhVIuo8KHS5YAPYQ6AEISTAG#v=onepage&q=First%20Flotilla%2C%20%201971&f=false.
- ↑ Watson, Dr Graham; Smith, Gordon (12 July 2015). "Royal Navy Organisation and Ship Deployment 1947-2013". G. Smith. https://www.naval-history.net/xGW-RNOrganisation1947-2013.htm. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
- ↑ Mackie, Colin (August 2018). "Royal Navy Senior Appointments from 1865". C. Mackie. p. 217. http://www.gulabin.com/. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
- ↑ Smith.2015.
- ↑ Smith.2015.
- ↑ Smith.2015.
- ↑ Smith.2015.
- ↑ Smith.2015.
- ↑ Smith.2015.
- ↑ Smith.2015.
- ↑ Smith.2015.
- ↑ Smith.2015.
- ↑ Smith.2015.
Sources[]
- Mackie, Colin. (2018) "Royal Navy Senior Appointments from 1865" (PDF). gulabin.com. Colin Mackie. Scotland, UK.
- Roberts, John (2009). Safeguarding the Nation: The Story of the Modern Royal Navy. Barnsley, England: Seaforth Publishing. ISBN 9781848320437.
- Smith, Gordon. (2015) "Royal Navy Organisation and Ship Deployment 1947-2013:FLEET ORGANISATION, 1981-2002". www.naval-history.net. Gordon Smith.
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The original article can be found at Flag Officer, Surface Flotilla and the edit history here.