| 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 |
| Last | Rear-Admiral Alexander K. Backus |
The Flag Officer, Surface Flotilla was a senior British Royal Navy appointment from 1990 to 2002.
When the post of Commander-in-Chief Fleet was created in 1971, three major subordinate appointments were also created: First Flotilla, Second Flotilla and Flag Officer, Carriers and Amphibious Ships, each held by a rear-admiral. [1] In 1990 the First Flotilla was 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]
Exercise Teamwork was a major NATO biennial exercise in defense of Norway against a Soviet land and maritime threat. Teamwork '92 was the largest NATO exercise for more than a decade. [3] Held in the northern spring of 1992, it included a total of over 200 ships and 300 aircraft, held in the North Atlantic. Vice Admiral Nicholas Hill-Norton, Flag Officer, Surface Flotilla, led the RN contingent as Commander, Anti-Submarine Warfare Striking Force (CASWF), with Commodore Amphibious Warfare (COMAW) embarked in HMS Fearless. [4]
Subordinate squadrons
| Unit | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 3rd Destroyer Squadron | 1990–2002 | [5] |
| 5th Destroyer Squadron | 1990–2002 | [5] |
| 1st Frigate Squadron | 1990–2002 | [5] |
| 3rd Frigate Squadron | 1990–2002 | [5] |
| 4th Frigate Squadron | 1990–2002 | [5] |
| 5th Frigate Squadron | 1990–2002 | [5] |
| 6th Frigate Squadron | 1990–2002 | [5] |
| 7th Frigate Squadron | 1990–2002 | [5] |
| 8th Frigate Squadron | 1990–2002 | [5] |
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: [6]
- Vice-Admiral A. Peter Woodhead: 1990 – September 1991
- Rear-Admiral A. Bruce Richardson: September 1991 – April 1992
- Vice-Admiral the Hon. Sir Nicholas Hill-Norton: April–November 1992
- Vice-Admiral Sir Michael C. Boyce: November 1992 – April 1995
- Vice-Admiral Sir John 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 Backus: November 2001 – 2002
Notes
- ^ Roberts, John (2009). Safeguarding the Nation: The Story of the Modern Royal Navy. Barnsley, England: Seaforth Publishing. p. 89. ISBN 9781848320437.
- ^ Watson, Graham; Smith, Gordon (12 July 2015). "Royal Navy Organisation and Ship Deployment 1947–2013". www.naval-history.net. G. Smith. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
- ^ Arkin 2005, p. 525.
- ^ Roberts 2009, p. 219.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Smith.2015.
- ^ Mackie, Colin (August 2018). "Royal Navy Senior Appointments from 1865". gulabin.com. C. Mackie. p. 217. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
References
- Arkin, William M. (2005). Code Names: Decyphering U.S. Military Plans, Programs, and Operations in the 9/11 World. Hanover, New Hampshire: Steerforth Press. ISBN 978-1-58642-083-3.
- 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.
