Flag Officer, Portsmouth


The Flag Officer Portsmouth was created following changes in the naval shore command organisation in the United Kingdom in July 1969. This role assumed some of the former duties of Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth and Admiral-superintendent, Portsmouth with one area commander the Flag Officer Portsmouth Area. First established in May 1971 until July that year when the title was altered to Flag Officer, Spithead. This office was revived again in August 1975 when the former post of Flag Officer Spithead was abolished. The office existed until October 1996 when it to was abolished.

History

On 14 October 1968 it was announced in the House Commons debate on the Ministry of Defence discussing part of the changes in the Naval Shore Command Organisation in the United Kingdom, the duties of Area Flag Officer for the Portsmouth Area and Admiral-Superintendent Portsmouth will be carried out by one Flag Officer. In July 1969 the HQ of the C-in-C Portsmouth until that post, together with that of C-in-C Plymouth, were subsumed into the post of C in C Naval Home Command based in Portsmouth. The two former C-in-C posts were re-graded as Area Flag Officers and a third area flag officer was created the Flag Officer Medway in charge of Medway Area Command.

Duties

Flag Officer Portsmouth was responsible for the control and direction of Portsmouth area command. It was initially a local area command that was enlarged into a wider regional command. This office holder reported to the Commander-in-Chief, Naval Home Command.

Office Holders

Included: