COMMANDER Mark HEADLEY

Mark Headley is a serving Commander and is currently working in Security Policy and Operations in Military Strategic Plans reporting to DCDS(MSO).

Qualifying as a Frigate Navigating Officer in 2004, he joined HMS SOMERSET conducting OP TELIC in the Northern Arabian Gulf and a period with SNMG2 in the Mediterranean Sea. Selected for command, he undertook the twin roles of Commanding Officer HMS RAIDER and Officer in Charge Cambridge University Royal Naval Unit.

Principal Warfare Officers’ (PWO) Course at MWS Collingwood followed before a return to sea in 2009 as Operations Officer of HMS MONMOUTH which deployed to the Middle East on consecutive occasions during a two-year period conducting OPs TELIC, CALASH and KIPION. After qualification as an Air Warfare Officer winning the BAE Prize for top AWO Student, he joined HMS DIAMOND for one of the first Type 45 deployments to the Gulf.

SASB1 selection saw command of Minehunters CATTISTOCK, LEDBURY, MIDDLETON, BROCKLESBY and ATHERSTONE, culminating in deployment to the Arabian Gulf for 7 months in July 2015 on OP KIPION with HMS ATHERSTONE.

Undertaking his SASB2 command appointment in 2018 as Commander Sea Training (Mine Warfare and Patrol Vessels) to Flag Officer Sea Training now the Fleet Operational Sea Training organisation. Based in Faslane he and his team were directly responsible to the Fleet Commander for the training and generation of over 35 ships and some 750 personnel ensuring operational capability to the Fleet.