Flag Officer, Surface Flotilla


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. 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.
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. 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, with Commodore Amphibious Warfare embarked in.

Subordinate squadrons

Flag Officer Surface Flotilla

Flag officers commanding

Included:
  • 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