New Rear Admiral Fleet Air Arm - Rear Admiral Keith E Blount OBE
Rear Admiral Keith E Blount OBE
Rear Admiral Fleet Air Arm
Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Aviation, Amphibious Capability & Carriers)
Keith Blount joined the Royal Navy in 1984 as a helicopter pilot. He received his wings in 1986, and was awarded the Bell Davies trophy as the top student pilot of his year. He was a front line aviator at the age of 20.
Specialising initially as an anti submarine Sea King pilot, he also flew in the SAR and MCT roles before qualifying as an instructor. As an A2 QHI, he taught on the Gazelle and also spent a year flying as a member of the Royal Navy Helicopter Display Team. His service after training included 826, 810, 771, 705 and 820 Naval Air Squadrons.
His staff appointments have involved 3 periods in the Ministry of Defence, including the aviation desk officer in the Resources and Plans division and in the Naval Staff working on Fleet Air Arm policy and strategy. His lastLondonassignment was as Military Assistant to the Vice Chief of the Defence Staff. He has also served as a member of the Directing Staff on the UK Joint Advanced Command and Staff course. He holds a Master of Arts degree in Defence Studies and was appointed OBE in 2012.
Blount has blended his aviation experience with a broad span of Command. A qualified PWO, he has commanded the patrol vessel HMS ANGLESEY, the frigate HMS SOMERSET and the helicopter carrier HMS OCEAN. He has also commanded the Iraqi maritime Task Group during Operation TELIC, based on the Al Basrah oil terminal and held Chief of Staff appointments in CTF 151 and Operation ATALANTA, both conducting counter piracy. In addition, he spent over 2 years working for Flag Officer Sea Training as Commander Sea Training and Commander Mobile Sea Training. He has worked extensively within coalitions and recently completed an 18 month appointment as the United Kingdom Maritime Component Commander and Deputy Commander Combined Maritime Forces, based within the USNAVCENT Headquarters in Bahrain. The period spanned Operation LUMINOUS fromCyprus, the completion of Operation HERRICK and the commencement of Operation SHADER inIraq.
He assumed duties as Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Aviation, Amphibious Capability and Carriers) and Rear Admiral Fleet Air Arm in May 2015.