Fleet Command (SA Navy)
| Fleet Command | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1999 to date |
| Country | File:Flag of South Africa.svg South Africa |
| Branch | South African Navy |
| Garrison/HQ | Naval Base Simon's Town |
| Commanders | |
| Flag Officer Fleet | RADM Musawenkosi Nkomonde |
| Fleet Master at Arms | CWO Vika |
Fleet Command is the South African Navy's single type command and controls all vessels and units of the South African Navy, besides Naval Headquarters. The commander of Fleet Command is a Rear Admiral and referred to as Flag Officer Fleet (FOF). The post was previously known as Chief of Naval Operations.[1]
Fleet Command was formed on 1 April 1999 following a Defense review, with Rear Admiral Eric Green as the first Flag Officer Fleet.[2]
Command, control and organisation
[edit | edit source]Four directorates are responsible for the day to day control of Fleet Command:[3]
- Director Fleet Force Preparations (DFFP)
- Director Fleet Human Resources (DFHR)
- Director Fleet Quality Assurance (DFQA)
- Director Fleet Logistics (DFL)
Past Flag Officers Fleet
[edit | edit source]- 1999 to 2005 - Rear Admiral Eric Green
- 2005 to 2008 - Rear Admiral Hennie Bester
- 2008 to December 2010 - Rear Admiral Robert Higgs[4]
- December 2010 to 1 February 2014 - Rear Admiral Phillip Schoultz[5]
- 1 February 2014 to 31 March 2020 - Rear Admiral Bubele Mhlana[6]
- 1 April 2020 to current - Rear Admiral Musawenkosi Nkomonde
Force preparation
[edit | edit source]Director Fleet Force Preparations is responsible for the day-to-day running of the ships and submarines and for ensuring their operational readiness. The Maritime Reaction Squadron and Navcomcens also report into DFFP.
Maritime Reaction Squadron
[edit | edit source]The Naval Rapid Deployment Force (NRDF), now known as the Maritime Reaction Squadron (MRS),[7] was formed in 2006.[8]
The main aim of this specialised unit is to deploy infantry-trained South African Navy members in various peacekeeping roles within the African continent and to assist in boarding operations at sea, humanitarian operations and disaster relief.[9]
The squadron consists of the following components:
- Operational Boat Division (OBD), with 10 Namacurra-class harbour patrol boats and six Lima-class utility landing craft
- Reaction Force Division (RFD), consisting of one naval infantry company with a command and support element
- Operational Diving Division (ODD), consisting of four operational diving teams (ODT) of 17 divers[10]
Human resources
[edit | edit source]Director Fleet Human Resources is responsible for all training and manning and also controls the training units.
Training units
[edit | edit source]- SAS Saldanha - located on the West Coast and provides training and development for ratings[11]
- SAS Wingfield - located in the Greater Cape Town area; provides practical training for apprentices and the technical musterings[12]
- SAS Simonsberg - training in gunnery, anti-submarine warfare, communications, diving and seamanship[13]
- South African Naval College Gordon's Bay - training college for naval officers
- Maritime Warfare School, Simonstown[14]
- NBCD School - nuclear, biological, and damage control training
Logistics
[edit | edit source]Director Fleet Logistics is responsible for all Logistics units as well as for the maintenance of the fleet.
Logistics units
[edit | edit source]- Naval Armament Depot[15]
- Naval Dockyard
- Naval Stores Depot
- Fleet Maintenance Unit
- Naval Publications Unit
Quality assurance
[edit | edit source]Director Fleet Quality Assurance is responsible for the output of Fleet Command and monitoring Quality Assurance throughout Fleet Command.
References
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