Commander Australian Fleet
Encyclopedia
Commander Australian Fleet (COMAUSFLT), also referred to as Fleet Commander Australia (FCAUST), is a senior appointment in the Royal Australian Navy
(RAN), holding full command of all Navy combat forces and responsibility for all maritime operations within the Australian Defence Force
(ADF). The rank associated with the position is rear admiral (two-star).
The position is currently occupied by Rear Admiral Steve Gilmore
.
The title first came into use in 2007. Previous titles for the position since 1913 have been:
. In 1859, Australia Station
was established as a separate command of the Royal Navy, responsible for all the waters around the Australian continent, in addition to the British and Australian colonial possessions in the South Pacific
. It was at this stage that the forerunner of Commander Australian Fleet, Officer Commanding Imperial Squadron Australian Station, was created. Between the Federation of Australia
and formation of the Commonwealth Naval Forces in 1901 to the year of 1913, the Royal Navy began a process of transferring all command responsibility in Australian waters over to the Australian Government, as well as replacing equipment and personnel with Australian variants. The Commonwealth Naval Forces were renamed to Royal Australian Navy in 1911. With the transfer complete in 1913, the position of Rear Admiral Commanding HM Australian Fleet was formed, with control over all naval combat operations and forces; the post was renamed Rear Admiral Commanding HM Australian Squadron in 1926. Despite this position being a command of the RAN, the majority of occupants were Royal Navy officers attached to, or on loan to, the RAN.
In 1949, Rear Admiral Commanding HM Australian Squadron was redesignated Flag Officer Commanding HM Australian Fleet. This was followed by a renaming to Maritime Commander Australia in 1988, and more recently to Commander Australian Fleet in 2007. Throughout its existence, the command has administered Australian naval forces as they have been deployed for duty in the First World War, Second World War, Malayan Emergency
, Korean War
, Indonesian Confrontation, Vietnam War
, Gulf War
, War in Afghanistan and Iraq War, in addition to peacekeeping operations. The rank associated with this position today is rear admiral, however some of the earlier appointees held a different rank.
During the East Timor operations of 1999–2000, the then Maritime Commander Australia held the Task force
designator Commander Task Force 627, which is probably still in use.
The Commander Australian Fleet holds full command responsibility over RAN combat forces, and is responsible to the Chief of Navy
—the administrative head of the RAN—for the execution of maritime tasks and training in regards to combat roles and operations. The Commander Australian Fleet additionally holds the role of Maritime Component Commander within Headquarters Joint Operations Command
(HQJOC), responsible to the Chief of Joint Operations
(CJOPS) as the head of naval activities within operational theatres.
Royal Australian Navy
The Royal Australian Navy is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. Following the Federation of Australia in 1901, the ships and resources of the separate colonial navies were integrated into a national force: the Commonwealth Naval Forces...
(RAN), holding full command of all Navy combat forces and responsibility for all maritime operations within the Australian Defence Force
Australian Defence Force
The Australian Defence Force is the military organisation responsible for the defence of Australia. It consists of the Royal Australian Navy , Australian Army, Royal Australian Air Force and a number of 'tri-service' units...
(ADF). The rank associated with the position is rear admiral (two-star).
The position is currently occupied by Rear Admiral Steve Gilmore
Steve Gilmore
Rear Admiral Stephen 'Steve' Richard Gilmore AM, CSC, RAN is the current COMAUSFLT of the Royal Australian Navy.-Service history:Rear Admiral Steve Gilmore, AM, CSC, RAN joined the Royal Australian Navy as a junior entry Cadet Midshipman in 1977...
.
The title first came into use in 2007. Previous titles for the position since 1913 have been:
- Rear Admiral Commanding HM Australian Fleet (1913–1926),
- Rear Admiral Commanding HM Australian Squadron (1926–1949),
- Flag Officer Commanding HM Australian Fleet (1949–1988, regularly abbreviated as FOCAF), and
- Maritime Commander Australia (1988–2007 - MCAUST).
History
Prior to 1913, all naval activities and forces in Australian waters were controlled by the British Royal NavyRoyal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
. In 1859, Australia Station
Australia Station
The Australia Station was the British—and later Australian—naval command responsible for the waters around the Australian continent.-History:In the early years following the establishment of the colony of New South Wales, ships based in Australian waters came under the control of the East Indies...
was established as a separate command of the Royal Navy, responsible for all the waters around the Australian continent, in addition to the British and Australian colonial possessions in the South Pacific
Oceania
Oceania is a region centered on the islands of the tropical Pacific Ocean. Conceptions of what constitutes Oceania range from the coral atolls and volcanic islands of the South Pacific to the entire insular region between Asia and the Americas, including Australasia and the Malay Archipelago...
. It was at this stage that the forerunner of Commander Australian Fleet, Officer Commanding Imperial Squadron Australian Station, was created. Between the Federation of Australia
Federation of Australia
The Federation of Australia was the process by which the six separate British self-governing colonies of New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia formed one nation...
and formation of the Commonwealth Naval Forces in 1901 to the year of 1913, the Royal Navy began a process of transferring all command responsibility in Australian waters over to the Australian Government, as well as replacing equipment and personnel with Australian variants. The Commonwealth Naval Forces were renamed to Royal Australian Navy in 1911. With the transfer complete in 1913, the position of Rear Admiral Commanding HM Australian Fleet was formed, with control over all naval combat operations and forces; the post was renamed Rear Admiral Commanding HM Australian Squadron in 1926. Despite this position being a command of the RAN, the majority of occupants were Royal Navy officers attached to, or on loan to, the RAN.
In 1949, Rear Admiral Commanding HM Australian Squadron was redesignated Flag Officer Commanding HM Australian Fleet. This was followed by a renaming to Maritime Commander Australia in 1988, and more recently to Commander Australian Fleet in 2007. Throughout its existence, the command has administered Australian naval forces as they have been deployed for duty in the First World War, Second World War, Malayan Emergency
Malayan Emergency
The Malayan Emergency was a guerrilla war fought between Commonwealth armed forces and the Malayan National Liberation Army , the military arm of the Malayan Communist Party, from 1948 to 1960....
, Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
, Indonesian Confrontation, Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
, Gulf War
Gulf War
The Persian Gulf War , commonly referred to as simply the Gulf War, was a war waged by a U.N.-authorized coalition force from 34 nations led by the United States, against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.The war is also known under other names, such as the First Gulf...
, War in Afghanistan and Iraq War, in addition to peacekeeping operations. The rank associated with this position today is rear admiral, however some of the earlier appointees held a different rank.
During the East Timor operations of 1999–2000, the then Maritime Commander Australia held the Task force
Task force
A task force is a unit or formation established to work on a single defined task or activity. Originally introduced by the United States Navy, the term has now caught on for general usage and is a standard part of NATO terminology...
designator Commander Task Force 627, which is probably still in use.
Role and responsibilities
The role and responsibilities of the Commander Australian Fleet is principally to "plan, prepare for, and conduct maritime operations for the protection and promotion of Australia's security and interests". With this directive, the operations carried out or planned by the Commander Australian Fleet or his staff fall into three distinct categories: defence of sovereign territory, protection of overseas trade and offshore resources, and contingencies.The Commander Australian Fleet holds full command responsibility over RAN combat forces, and is responsible to the Chief of Navy
Chief of Navy (Australia)
The Chief of Navy is the most senior appointment in the Royal Australian Navy, responsible to the Chief of the Defence Force and the Secretary of Defence...
—the administrative head of the RAN—for the execution of maritime tasks and training in regards to combat roles and operations. The Commander Australian Fleet additionally holds the role of Maritime Component Commander within Headquarters Joint Operations Command
Headquarters Joint Operations Command (Australia)
The Australian Headquarters Joint Operations Command is the Australian Defence Force's operational level headquarters responsible for the command and control of ADF operations worldwide...
(HQJOC), responsible to the Chief of Joint Operations
Chief of Joint Operations (Australia)
Until September 2007, the Vice Chief of the Defence Force was "double hatted" as the Chief of Joint Operations . In this role he commanded Australian Defence Force operations on behalf of the Chief of the Defence Force...
(CJOPS) as the head of naval activities within operational theatres.
Previous commanders
The following list chronologically records those who have held the post of Commander Australian Fleet or its preceding positions. However, the position of Officers Commanding Imperial Squadron Australian Station (1859–1913) is not included in this list as it was administered as a command of the Royal Navy, and existed before the formation of the Royal Australian Navy. The official title of the commander at that period of time is listed immediately before the officers who held that role. The rank and honours are as at the completion of the commander's term.| Rank | Name | Post- Nominals | Service | Term began | Term ended |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rear Admiral Commanding HM Australian Fleet | |||||
| Vice Admiral Vice Admiral Vice admiral is a senior naval rank of a three-star flag officer, which is equivalent to lieutenant general in the other uniformed services. A vice admiral is typically senior to a rear admiral and junior to an admiral... |
KCMG, KCVO | RN Royal Navy The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service... |
|||
| Rear Admiral Rear Admiral Rear admiral is a naval commissioned officer rank above that of a commodore and captain, and below that of a vice admiral. It is generally regarded as the lowest of the "admiral" ranks, which are also sometimes referred to as "flag officers" or "flag ranks"... |
KCB, MVO | RN | |||
| Rear Admiral | CB | RN | |||
| Rear Admiral | KCMG, CB | RN | |||
| Rear Admiral | CB, CVO | RN | |||
| Rear Admiral | CMG | RN | |||
| Commodore Commodore (rank) Commodore is a military rank used in many navies that is superior to a navy captain, but below a rear admiral. Non-English-speaking nations often use the rank of flotilla admiral or counter admiral as an equivalent .It is often regarded as a one-star rank with a NATO code of OF-6, but is not always... |
DSO | RN | |||
| Rear Admiral Commanding HM Australian Squadron | |||||
| Rear Admiral | CVO, CBE | RAN Royal Australian Navy The Royal Australian Navy is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. Following the Federation of Australia in 1901, the ships and resources of the separate colonial navies were integrated into a national force: the Commonwealth Naval Forces... |
|||
| Rear Admiral | CB, DSO | RN | |||
| Commodore | MVO | RN | |||
| Rear Admiral | CB | RN | |||
| Rear Admiral | CB | RN | |||
| Rear Admiral | CB, OBE | RN | |||
| Rear Admiral | CB | RN | |||
| Commodore | CVO | RN | |||
| Rear Admiral | CB | RN | |||
| Rear Admiral | VC Victoria Cross The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories.... , DSC Distinguished Service Cross (United Kingdom) The Distinguished Service Cross is the third level military decoration awarded to officers, and other ranks, of the British Armed Forces, Royal Fleet Auxiliary and British Merchant Navy and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries.The DSC, which may be awarded posthumously, is... |
RN | |||
| Commodore | CB | RAN | |||
| Captain Captain (naval) Captain is the name most often given in English-speaking navies to the rank corresponding to command of the largest ships. The NATO rank code is OF-5, equivalent to an army full colonel.... |
MVO | RN | |||
| Commodore | CB, DSO, MVO | RAN | |||
| Commodore | CB | RAN | |||
| Rear Admiral | CB, DSO, MVO | RAN | |||
| Flag Officer Commanding HM Australian Fleet (FOCAF) | |||||
| Rear Admiral | CB, CBE | RN | |||
| Rear Admiral | CB, DSO, DSC | RN | |||
| Rear Admiral | CBE, DSO | RAN | |||
| Rear Admiral | CBE | RAN | |||
| Rear Admiral | CBE | RAN | |||
| Rear Admiral | CB, CBE | RAN | |||
| Rear Admiral | DSO, DSC & Bar | RAN | |||
| Rear Admiral | CB, CBE, DSO | RAN | |||
| Rear Admiral | CBE, GM George Medal The George Medal is the second level civil decoration of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth.The GM was instituted on 24 September 1940 by King George VI. At this time, during the height of The Blitz, there was a strong desire to reward the many acts of civilian courage... |
RAN | |||
| Rear Admiral | CBE, DSO, DSC & Bar | RAN | |||
| Rear Admiral | CBE, DSC | RAN | |||
| Rear Admiral | CBE, DSC | RAN | |||
| Rear Admiral | OBE, DSC | RAN | |||
| Rear Admiral | CBE, DSC | RAN | |||
| Rear Admiral | CBE | RAN | |||
| Rear Admiral | CBE, DSC | RAN | |||
| Rear Admiral | CBE | RAN | |||
| Rear Admiral | CBE, DSC | RAN | |||
| Rear Admiral | CBE | RAN | |||
| Rear Admiral | CBE | RAN | |||
| Rear Admiral | AO, DSC & Bar | RAN | |||
| Rear Admiral | AO | RAN | |||
| Rear Admiral | AO | RAN | |||
| Rear Admiral | CBE, LVO | RAN | |||
| Rear Admiral | AO, OBE | RAN | |||
| Rear Admiral | RAN | ||||
| Rear Admiral | RAN | ||||
| Rear Admiral | AO | RAN | |||
| Rear Admiral | AO | RAN | |||
| Rear Admiral | AO | RAN | |||
| Maritime Commander Australia (MCAUST) | |||||
| Rear Admiral | AO | RAN | |||
| Rear Admiral | RAN | ||||
| Rear Admiral | AO | RAN | |||
| Rear Admiral | AO | RAN | |||
| Rear Admiral | AO | RAN | |||
| Rear Admiral | AO | RAN | |||
| Rear Admiral | AM | RAN | |||
| Rear Admiral | AM | RAN | |||
| Rear Admiral | AM | RAN | |||
| Rear Admiral | CSM Conspicuous Service Medal The Conspicuous Service Medal is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the Australian Defence Force, it is awarded for meritorious achievement or dedication to duty in non-war like situations. The CSM was introduced in 1989 and is a distinct Australian military award. It is the second... |
RAN | |||
| Rear Admiral | AM | RAN | |||
| Rear Admiral | AM, CSC Conspicuous Service Cross (Australia) The Conspicuous Service Cross is a decoration of the Australian Honours System. The CSC is awarded only for outstanding devotion to duty, or outstanding achievement in the application of exceptional skills, judgment or dedication, in non-warlike situations... |
RAN | |||
| Commander Australian Fleet (COMAUSFLT) | |||||
| Rear Admiral | AM, CSC | RAN | |||
| Rear Admiral | AM | RAN | |||
| Rear Admiral | AM, CSC | RAN | Incumbent | ||