The Chief of Staff, Fleet (COSFLEET) also formally known as Chief of Staff to the Commander-in-Chief Fleet was a senior British Royal Navy appointment. The office holder was the Commander-in-Chief, Fleet's principal staff officer responsible for coordinating the supporting staff of Fleet Headquarters, Northwood, from November 1971 to February 2012.
History Between 1954 and 1971 Royal Navy senior commands were either abolished or merged into fewer but larger commands. In November 1971, the Western Fleet was merged with the Far East Fleet to form a single seagoing command, commonly known as Fleet Command or the FLEET. The Chief of Staff Fleet was the principal staff officer of the Commander-in-Chief, Fleet's who was responsible for coordinating the supporting senior staff of Fleet Headquarters until April 2012 when the post was abolished.
From February 1990 until April 2012 the office holder simultaneously held the joint title of Deputy Commander in Chief, the Fleet.The Civil Service Yearbook 1998 p.164.The Civil Service Yearbook 2002 p.170.
Chiefs of Staff, Fleet Post holders included:
Rank Flag Name Term Chief of Staff, Fleet 1 Vice-Admiral John Ernle Pope November 1971- May 1974 2 Rear-Admiral John O Roberts May 1974-April 1976 3 Vice-Admiral Peter E.C. Berger April 1976-October 19784 Vice-Admiral William D.M. StaveleyOctober 1978-June 19805 Vice-Admiral Sir David J. HallifaxJune 1980-May 1982 6 Vice-Admiral Sir Edward R. AnsonMay 1982-June 1984 7 Vice-Admiral Sir John M. WebsterJune 1984-November 19868 Rear-Admiral Robin I.T. Hogg November 1986-December 1987 9 Rear-Admiral Peter G.V. Dingemans December 1987-February 1990 10 Vice-Admiral Sir Roy Newman Feb 1990–June 199211 Rear-Admiral Sir Geoffrey Biggs June 1992–June 1994 12 Vice-Admiral Sir Jonathan Tod June 1994–June 199713 Vice-Admiral Sir Jeremy BlackhamJune 1997–Jan 199914 Vice-Admiral Sir Fabian MalbonJan 1999–May 2001 15 Vice-Admiral Sir Jonathon BandMay 2001–July 200216 Vice-Admiral Sir Mark StanhopeJuly 2002–June 200417 Vice-Admiral Sir Timothy McClementJune 2004–Oct 2006 18 Vice-Admiral Paul Boissier Oct 2006–July 2009 19 Vice-Admiral Sir Richard IbbotsonJuly 2009–Jan 201120 Vice-Admiral Sir George ZambellasJan 2011–Dec 2011 21 Vice-Admiral Philip Jones Dec 2011–April 2012
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