Flag Officer Sea Training
Encyclopedia
Flag Officer Sea Training (FOST) is a Royal Navy
training organisation responsible for ensuring that Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary
vessels are fit to join the operational fleet. FOST certifies crews and vessels as being sufficiently prepared for any eventuality through rigorous exercises and readiness inspections. The training and testing period can last up to 8 weeks and includes a weekly war-fighting and damage control scenario known as a 'Thursday War
'. FOST has been a world centre of excellence in the Royal Navy
for naval basic and advanced operational training since it was established by then First Sea Lord
Lord Louis Mountbatten in 1958.
Originally operated out of Portland
, in 1999 FOST was moved to Plymouth
and the command changed from Flag Officer Surface Flotilla to Commander-in-Chief Fleet
.
FOST operates a pair of Eurocopter Dauphin
helicopters from Plymouth City Airport
to allow its instructors to join vessels with minimal delay during intense training periods.
As well as training Royal Navy
personnel, it has also been an important source of revenue in training foreign naval crews to handle and fight their vessels, with around one third of its work used in this capacity.
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...
training organisation responsible for ensuring that Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary
Royal Fleet Auxiliary
The Royal Fleet Auxiliary is a civilian-manned fleet owned by the British Ministry of Defence. The RFA enables ships of the United Kingdom Royal Navy to maintain operations around the world. Its primary role is to supply the Royal Navy with fuel, ammunition and supplies, normally by replenishment...
vessels are fit to join the operational fleet. FOST certifies crews and vessels as being sufficiently prepared for any eventuality through rigorous exercises and readiness inspections. The training and testing period can last up to 8 weeks and includes a weekly war-fighting and damage control scenario known as a 'Thursday War
Thursday War
A Thursday War is the colloquial name given in the Royal Navy for the weekly war-fighting and damage control exercises that are held during Flag Officer Sea Training , so named because they are usually held on a Thursday...
'. FOST has been a world centre of excellence in the Royal Navy
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...
for naval basic and advanced operational training since it was established by then First Sea Lord
First Sea Lord
The First Sea Lord is the professional head of the Royal Navy and the whole Naval Service; it was formerly known as First Naval Lord. He also holds the title of Chief of Naval Staff, and is known by the abbreviations 1SL/CNS...
Lord Louis Mountbatten in 1958.
Originally operated out of Portland
Portland Harbour
Portland Harbour is located beside the Isle of Portland, off Dorset, on the south coast of England. It is one of the largest man-made harbours in the world. Grid reference: .-History:...
, in 1999 FOST was moved to Plymouth
HMNB Devonport
Her Majesty's Naval Base Devonport , is one of three operating bases in the United Kingdom for the Royal Navy . HMNB Devonport is located in Devonport, in the west of the city of Plymouth in Devon, England...
and the command changed from Flag Officer Surface Flotilla to Commander-in-Chief Fleet
Commander-in-Chief Fleet
Commander-in-Chief Fleet is the admiral responsible for the operation, resourcing and training of the ships, submarines and aircraft, and personnel, of the British Royal Navy...
.
FOST operates a pair of Eurocopter Dauphin
Eurocopter Dauphin
The Eurocopter SA 365/AS365 Dauphin 2 is a medium-weight multipurpose twin-engine helicopter manufactured by Eurocopter .-Design and development:...
helicopters from Plymouth City Airport
Plymouth City Airport
Plymouth City Airport is an airport located within the City of Plymouth north northeast of the city centre in Devon, England. The airport opened on this site in 1925 and was officially opened by the Edward VIII, as Prince of Wales, in 1931...
to allow its instructors to join vessels with minimal delay during intense training periods.
As well as training Royal Navy
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...
personnel, it has also been an important source of revenue in training foreign naval crews to handle and fight their vessels, with around one third of its work used in this capacity.
External links
- FOST at the official MOD web site.
- Naval Air Organisation, Flight InternationalFlight InternationalFlight International is a global aerospace weekly publication produced in the UK. Founded in 1909, it is the world's oldest continuously published aviation news magazine...
, 20 April 1951