Fleet Command (SA Navy)

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
Active1999 to date
Country South Africa
BranchSouth African Navy
Garrison/HQNaval Base Simon's Town
Commanders
Flag Officer FleetRADM Musawenkosi Nkomonde
Fleet Master at ArmsCWO Vika

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

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

Force preparation

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

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:

Human resources

Director Fleet Human Resources is responsible for all training and manning and also controls the training units.

Training units
  • 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

Director Fleet Logistics is responsible for all Logistics units as well as for the maintenance of the fleet.

Logistics units
  • Naval Armament Depot[15]
  • Naval Dockyard
  • Naval Stores Depot
  • Fleet Maintenance Unit
  • Naval Publications Unit

Quality assurance

Director Fleet Quality Assurance is responsible for the output of Fleet Command and monitoring Quality Assurance throughout Fleet Command.

References
  1. Molebeledi, Pule (July 16, 1988). "South Africa: Pretoria navy chiefs post to be abolished". AllAfrica. Retrieved June 19, 2014.
  2. "NAVY HQ INAUGURATED". Mail & Guardian. March 31, 1999. Retrieved June 19, 2014.
  3. Bennett, C. H.; Söderlund, A. G. (2008). South Africa's navy : a navy of the people and for the people. p. 69. ISBN 978-0-620-41446-3.
  4. Louw, Dalene (December 7, 2010). "Higgs hands over fleet command". Die Burger. Archived from the original on June 19, 2014. Retrieved June 19, 2014.
  5. "Schöultz takes the helm at the fleet". DefenceWeb. 2010-12-06. Retrieved July 12, 2012.
  6. Wingrin, Dean (February 3, 2014). "Navy rising to meet new challenges". Retrieved March 14, 2014.
  7. "Edition No 4 of 2006" (PDF). 7 November 2006. Retrieved June 22, 2014.
  8. "The SAAF Forum • View topic - Maritime Reaction Squadron comes of age". saairforce.co.za. Retrieved June 19, 2014.
  9. "Maritime Protection Squadron". navy.mil.za. Retrieved June 19, 2014.
  10. "SA Navy to commission Maritime Reaction Squadron | defenceWeb". defenceweb.co.za. Retrieved June 19, 2014.
  11. "SAS Saldanha Home Page". navy.mil.za. Retrieved June 19, 2014.
  12. Bennett, C. H.; Söderlund, A. G. (2008). South Africa's navy : a navy of the people and for the people. p. 153. ISBN 978-0-620-41446-3.
  13. Bennett, C. H.; Söderlund, A. G. (2008). South Africa's navy : a navy of the people and for the people. p. 157. ISBN 978-0-620-41446-3.
  14. "Presentation by Chief of the SA Navy" (PDF). 17 November 2011. Retrieved June 19, 2014.
  15. Bennett, C. H.; Söderlund, A. G. (2008). South Africa's navy : a navy of the people and for the people. p. 159. ISBN 978-0-620-41446-3.
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