In 1989 the Royal Navy was under the direction of the Navy Department in the UK Ministry of Defence. It had two main commands, CINCFLEET and Naval Home Command.
The First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff was an Admiral who commanded Her Majesty's Naval Service. Admiral Sir Julian Oswald KCB had assumed the post in May 1989. Oswald was promoted to Admiral of the Fleet on his retirement in March 1993.Who's Who 2010, A & C Black, 2010, The First Sea Lord/CNS was a member of the Chiefs of Staff Committee, the Defence Council, the Admiralty Board and the Navy Board.
The strength of the Royal Navy in 1989 was 65,500 men. Jane's Fighting Ships 1989–1990 gives the strength as at 1 January 1989 as 65,484 (RN male and female 57,778, Royal Marines 7,706).
Navy Department (Ministry of Defence)
At the end of the Cold War in 1989, the Royal Navy structure was as follows:
First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff The First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff (1SL/CNS) was based in Whitehall, London. His principal staff officers were: Second Sea Lord, Admiral, responsible for personnel and naval shore establishments Admiralty Interview Board Controller of the Navy, Admiral, former Third Sea Lord, responsible for procurement and matériel Chief of Fleet Support, Vice Admiral, former Fourth Sea Lord, responsible for dockyard organisation and fleet maintenance Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff, Rear Admiral, head of the Naval Staff Naval Secretary, Rear Admiral, responsible for policy direction on personnel management Hydrographer of the Navy, Rear Admiral
The Naval Service consisted of the following components
Royal Navy, including Royal Naval Reserve Royal Marines, including Royal Marines Reserve Royal Fleet Auxiliary Royal Naval Auxiliary Service Royal Maritime Auxiliary Service Royal Naval Supply and Transport Service Royal Corps of Naval Constructors Women's Royal Naval Service, including Women's Royal Naval Reserve Queen Alexandra's Royal Naval Nursing Service, including Queen Alexandra's Royal Naval Nursing Service Reserve Admiralty Research Establishment, Portsdown
Commander-in-Chief Fleet The Commander-in-Chief Fleet (CINCFLEET) was an Admiral based at Northwood Headquarters commanded the Royal Navy and Royal Marines. He also doubled as NATO Commander-in-Chief, Eastern Atlantic Area (CINCEASTLANT) and Commander-in-Chief Channel (CINCHAN). CINCFLEET was responsible for the operation, resourcing and training of the ships, submarines and aircraft, and personnel the Royal Navy, including of the Royal Naval Reserve, Royal Marines, and Royal Marines Reserve. Squadrons had a purely administrative role, devoted to operational readiness and training.
Flag Officer First Flotilla
The Flag Officer First Flotilla (FOF1) was a rear admiral based HMNB Portsmouth who commanded the navy's First Flotilla.
First Flotilla, HMNB Portsmouth 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
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, Rosyth Dockyard 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
The Flag Officer, Third Flotilla was a rear admiral based HMNB Portsmouth who commanded the navy's Third Flotilla and doubled as NATO Commander Anti-Submarine Warfare Striking Force. Third Flotilla contained all aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships of the Navy. In 1989 Vice Admiral Alan Grose held this appointment.
Third Flotilla, HMNB Portsmouth , (refit at HMNB Devonport), , , RFA Argus, RFA Engadine (decommissioned March 1989), , (ice patrol vessel)
Flag Officer Scotland and Northern Ireland
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. On 31 January 1977, newly promoted Vice-Admiral Cameron Rusby was appointed as FOSNI, and double-hatted as NATO Commander Northern Sub-Area, Eastern Atlantic (NORLANT) and Commander Nore Sub-Area Channel (NORECHAN). The main unit under his command was the Mine Countermeasures Flotilla based at Rosyth Dockyard 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
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). 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
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
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 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
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."
Commandant General Royal Marines, London Major General Commando Forces MGCF was responsible for all regular commando forces. He commanded HQ Commando Forces at Plymouth which consisted of his staff and support personnel designed to facilitate deployment of commando units and amphibious operations. Although not its primary role this HQ was capable of operating as a divisional HQ, the role it took in the Falklands war. This was the only divisional HQ in the British armed forces capable of commanding amphibious operations. 3 Commando Brigade, Plymouth Headquarters and Signals Squadron Royal Marines, Plymouth Headquarters Squadron, including the Intelligence and Information Activities Cells Y Squadron - Electronic Warfare Air Defense Troop (16 x Javelin MANPADS), Communications Squadron Logistics Squadron Motor Transportation Troop Royal Marines Police Troop Catering Troop Stores Troop Equipment Support Troop 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 6 Assault Squadron, Plymouth (4x LCU Mk.9, 4x LCVP Mk.4, 2x Centurion BARV), served aboard 539 Assault Squadron, Plymouth (2x LCU Mk.9, 4x LCVP Mk.4, Rigid Raiding Craft MK1, Gemini Inflatable Raiding Craft). This unit was part of 3 Commando Brigades order of battle and responsible for providing integral operational amphibious movement capability to the brigade. 3 Commando Brigade Air Squadron, RNAS Yeovilton (12x Gazelle AH.1, 6x Lynx AH.1) 2 Raiding Squadron, Royal Marines (Reserve), Plymouth