FOST
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|
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 1958 |
| Jurisdiction | Government of the United Kingdom |
| Headquarters |
HMNB Devonport Plymouth England |
| Agency executive |
|
| Parent agency | Navy Command Headquarters |
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. It is also the name of the senior flag officer responsible for all naval sea training he is based at Navy Command Headquarters.
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 operating out of Portland, FOST moved to Plymouth in 1995 when Rear-Admiral Tolhurst transferred his flag courtesy of HMS Iron Duke and the chain of command changed from Flag Officer Surface Flotilla to Commander-in-Chief Fleet.
As a result of the Royal Navy programme 'Fleet First', FOST became the single command responsible for all sea training. The submarine sea-training organisation came under FOST and surface ship training previously undertaken by Flag Officer Surface Flotilla and the squadron staffs also shifted to FOST.
FOST operates a pair of Eurocopter Dauphin helicopters to allow its instructors to join vessels with minimal delay during intense training periods. Plymouth Airport closed on 23 December 2011. The aircraft operate from HMS Raleigh in Cornwall but are based at Newquay.
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. FOST certifies crews and vessels as being sufficiently prepared for any eventuality through rigorous exercises and readiness inspections.
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Wikipedia