Alan West

Admiral Sir Alan West, GCB, DSC, ADC (born 1948) is the First Sea Lord, the professional head of the Royal Navy.

Related Topics:
GCB - DSC - ADC - 1948 - First Sea Lord - Royal Navy

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West joined the Navy in 1965 and has served on 14 different ships, commanding three of them.

Related Topics:
Navy - 1965

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In 1980 he was promoted to Commander and took command of the frigate HMS Ardent, which was sunk on May 21, 1982, during the Falklands War. West was the last to leave the sinking ship and was subsequently awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his leadership.

Related Topics:
1980 - Commander - Frigate - HMS ''Ardent'' - May 21 - 1982 - Falklands War - Distinguished Service Cross

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West was made Rear Admiral in February 1994. In February 1996 he became Commander United Kingdom Task Group. In October 1997 he was promoted to Vice Admiral and Chief of Defence Intelligence.

Related Topics:
Rear Admiral - 1994 - 1996 - Commander United Kingdom Task Group - 1997 - Vice Admiral - Chief of Defence Intelligence

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West was knighted in 2000. He became an Admiral in November 2000 when he took up the post of Commander-in-Chief Fleet, NATO Commander-in-Chief East Atlantic and NATO Commander Allied Naval Forces North.

Related Topics:
2000 - Commander-in-Chief Fleet - NATO - Commander-in-Chief East Atlantic - Commander Allied Naval Forces North

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West was appointed as First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff in September 2002. Admiral West is also a member of the Defence Council and Admiralty Board as well as First and Principal Naval Aide-de-Camp to Her Majesty The Queen.

Related Topics:
First Sea Lord - Chief of the Naval Staff - 2002 - Defence Council - Admiralty Board - First and Principal Naval Aide-de-Camp - Her Majesty - Queen

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