| Flag Officer, Carriers and Amphibious Ships | |
|---|---|
 Ensign of the Royal Navy | |
| Admiralty, Ministry of Defence | |
| Reports to | Commander-in-Chief Fleet |
| Nominator | Secretary of State for Defence |
| Appointer | Prime Minister Subject to formal approval by the Queen-in-Council |
| Term length | Not fixed (typically 1–4 years) |
| Inaugural holder | Rear-Admiral Reginald G. H. Henderson |
| Formation | 1970-1979 |
Flag Officer, Carriers and Amphibious Ships (FOCAS) was a senior Royal Navy post that existed from 1970 to 1979. However, its antecedents date to 1931.
A Flag Officer with specific responsibilities for command of aircraft carriers within the Royal Navy was first established in September 1931 with the appointment of Rear-Admiral Reginald Henderson as Rear-Admiral, Aircraft Carriers.[1] He was succeeded by Rear-Admiral the Hon. Sir Alexander R. M. Ramsay later Vice-Admiral, Aircraft Carriers. The post was held by successive flag officers under the titles listed below. In June 1968 the post Rear-Admiral, Carriers was renamed to Flag Officer, Carriers and Amphibious Ships (FOCAS). The post was renamed Flag Officer, Third Flotilla in December 1979.[2]
The office holder reported to different senior flag officers during its existence including the Commander-in-Chief, Home Fleet,[3] the Commander-in-Chief, Western Fleet and finally the Commander-in-Chief Fleet.
- ^ Brown, David K. (2006). Nelson to Vanguard : warship development, 1923-1945 (Paperback ed.). London: Chatham. p. 201. ISBN 9781591146025.
- ^ Tailyour 1990, p. 113.
- ^ Beaver 1987, p. 38.