Keith Blount


Keith Edward Blount, is a senior Royal Navy officer and pilot. From 2015 to 2019, he was Assistant Chief of Naval Staff and head of the Fleet Air Arm. He currently serves as Commander Allied Maritime Command, NATO.

Early life and education

Blount was born on 22 June 1966 in Plymouth, England. He was educated at Plymstock School, a state secondary school in Plymouth. He later attended King's College London to study for a Master of Arts degree in defence studies, which he completed in 2004.

Naval career

Blount joined the Royal Navy in 1984, and qualified as a helicopter pilot in 1986. Following training, he served with 826, 810, 771, 705 and 820 Naval Air Squadrons. His commands have included, the Iraqi Maritime Task Group, and the United Kingdom's Maritime Component in Bahrain. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the 2011 Queen's Birthday Honours.
From May 2015 until February 2019, Blount served as Assistant Chief of Naval Staff and Rear Admiral Fleet Air Arm. Blount was elected a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society in 2016, and appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath in the 2018 New Year Honours. In February 2019 it was announced that he would become Commander Allied Maritime Command. Blount became commander effective 20 May 2019, and was promoted to vice admiral.
While a commodore, Blount was awarded the Legion of Merit in the degree of officer by the President of the United States "in recognition of meritorious, gallant and distinguished services during coalition operations in the field".