Home : Leadership : Deputy Commander CMF

Commodore Mark Anderson

Deputy Commander, Combined Maritime Forces

Commodore Mark Anderson

Deputy Commander,

Combined Maritime Forces
 

Early service as a junior officer in the Caribbean, Hong Kong Squadron, Northern Ireland Squadron and Fishery Protection Squadron included assignments in Mine Hunters, Offshore Patrol Vessels, Frigates, Destroyers and Amphibious ships. Deployments East of the Suez Canal followed as part of the international maritime response to the attacks of 9/11, the War Against Terrorism and Operation TELIC.

After specializing in Anti-Submarine Warfare, Anderson then commanded the Offshore Patrol Vessel, HMS MERSEY around Western European waters and HMS CLYDE in the South Atlantic. Assuming Command of the anti-submarine frigate, HMS RICHMOND in 2014, Anderson undertook demanding Counter Narcotic and Counter Terrorism operations in the Indian Ocean whilst maintaining the UK’s high readiness contingent war fighting unit East of Suez. During this time HMS RICHMOND also helped tackle migrant trafficking in the Lampedusa Triangle of the Mediterranean. 

After a staff assignment to the UK’s Joint Services Command and Staff College, Anderson worked as the Military Assistant to the UK’s Defence Senior Adviser for the Middle East and North Africa, where he travelled extensively throughout the region supporting Higher Level International Engagement. On promotion to Captain and appointment to the Royal Navy’s Maritime Operations Centre, Anderson oversaw a wide variety of global operations ranging from Short Term Training Team deployments to Africa, to constabulary operations in the Caribbean and operations for the protection of the nuclear deterrent at sea. Most recently, Anderson worked in the Security, Policy and Operations Division of the Ministry of Defence where he was responsible for the strategic alignment of UK military support to Ukraine. He completed the UK’s Higher Command and Staff Course in 2022 and the NATO Defence College’s Regional Cooperation Course in 2023.