Jul 01 - Commodore Mike Walliker Is The New CBF
Commodore Mike Walliker OBE RN has been appointed as the new Commander British Forces Gibraltar with effect from the 14th July in succession to Commodore Ian McGhie MA RN.
Commodore McGhie is retiring from the Royal Navy and will settle in Gibraltar with his wife Doreen having completed a successful and enjoyable tour.
Commodore Walliker was promoted to Commodore in 2014 and assumed the role of Commander Faslane Flotilla and Deputy Rear Admiral Submarines on 12 June 2014. On 1 January 2016, with the formation of the Submarine Flotilla, Commodore Walliker also became Commander Submarine Flotilla.
Between 1989 and 1996, he served in a number of sea appointments including the conventional submarine HMS ODIN as the Signals Officer and the nuclear submarines HMS TRIUMPH and TALENT as the Navigating and Operations Officer. From 1990 to 1992, he served at the Fleet headquarters in Northwood as Flag Lieutenant to Flag Officer Submarines. He completed the Submarine Command Course, the Perisher, in January 1997 and was appointed as the Executive Officer of HMS TURBULENT. During his two years on board, the submarine completed a refit, a period of operational training and a deployment to the Gulf region.
In April 1999, he returned to the Staff at Northwood for a short appointment as the Special Operations Officer, before being promoted to Commander in December 1999. He took command of HMS TIRELESS the following August. During his 28 months in command, the submarine underwent a lengthy nuclear repair in Gibraltar, a work-up, a deployment to the Atlantic Underwater Test and Evaluation Centre off the eastern seaboard of the United States, and a period of operations.
In January 2003, Commodore Walliker was appointed as “Teacher” to the Submarine Command Course for two years, after which he took up an appointment in the Directorate of Naval Resources and Plans in the Ministry of Defence. He was appointed to command HMS ASTUTE, the first of a new generation of hunter killer submarines in 2007, joining the submarine in build, in Barrow-in-Furness.
On promotion to Captain, he attended the 2009 Higher Command and Staff Course, before being appointed as the first Captain ASW, in command of the Type 23 Frigate HMS RICHMOND. His two years in command included a seven month deployment in support of Counter Piracy operations off Somalia. In late 2011, he returned to Northwood as the Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff (Operations), and in September 13, he took up an appointment as the Team Leader for the Submarine Sustainable Manpower Programme.
Commodore Walliker will be accompanied by his wife Charlotte and his two children Lucy and Jonty.
{fcomment}
