Farewell to the First Sea Lord – Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope GCB OBE ADC paid a two day visit to Plymouth as part of a farewell tour of establishments after completing 43 years’ service in the Royal Navy. 

Mark Stanhope joined the Royal Navy in 1970 and was confirmed as a Sub-Lieutenant in 1972 and was promoted to Lieutenant in 1977, and to Lieutenant-Commander in 1982,   He commanded the Patrol Submarine ORPHEUS (1982-1984) and was promoted Commander in 1986 and went on command the Fleet Submarine SPLENDID (1987-1988), then became a teaching officer on the Submarine Command Course in 1989.     Promoted to Captain in 1991 and was to command the Type 22 Frigate LONDON (1991-92), before becoming Captain, Submarine Sea Training in 1993.     He was appointed Deputy Principal Staff Officer to the Chief of the Defence Staff at the Ministry of Defence in 1994 and then attended the Royal College of Defence Studies in 1997.   He took command of the Aircraft Carrier ILLUSTRIOUS (1998-2000) during which time that ship was deployed on operational patrol off Sierra Leone.    Mark Stanhope was promoted to Rear Admiral and became Director of Operational Management at NATO Regional Command North in 2000 and was seconded to the Cabinet Office in 2002 before being promoted to Vice Admiral and becoming Deputy Commander-in-Chief Fleet in July 2002.    Promotion to full Admiral in 2004 followed and Mark Stanhope became NATO Deputy Supreme Allied Commander and in 2007 he became Commander-in-Chief Fleet and also took the honorary position of Vice-Admiral of the United Kingdom.    In July 2009 Mark Stanhope succeeded Admiral Sir Jonathon Band as First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff in July 2009.   In April 2013 he will be succeeded by Admiral Sir George Zambellas.

During his farewell visit to Plymouth Mark Stanhope lunched on the Fleet Submarine TALENT and enjoyed a “sail past” in the (Plymouth) Sound as ships undergoing training courtesy Flag Officer Sea Training – the Fleet Flagship and Assault Ship BULWARK, the Landing Ship RFA LYME BAY accompanied by the Type 23 Frigate MONTROSE pall showed  their respects.    The MONTROSE fired a 17 gun salute echoing around the Sound to mark the occasion.    The Patrol Boat DASHER accompanied by two ORCs (Offshore Raiding Craft) provided the escort.