MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

MOD Announce new GIB Commander British Forces

Commodore Allan Adair RN has been appointed new Commander of British Forces following the shock death of his predecessor David White in circumstances that are still under investigation.

A British military spokesman said: "Commodore Adair will arrive in Gibraltar today Wednesday 19th January to assume command of British Forces Gibraltar.

Commodore Adair was born in 1951, educated at Marlborough College and joined the Royal Navy in 1969."

"His early career included a number of sea appointments, the command of a minesweeper HMS Walkerton and staff training at Greenwich. He was promoted to Commander in 1988 and had 2 staff appointments before assuming command of the re-commissioned HMS Excellent in 1994 (a shore training and headquarters establishment).

He returned to sea in 1996 where he served as Second in Command of HMS Battleaxe.

He was promoted to Captain in 1998 and then spent 4 years as the Naval Attaché in Paris before attending a course at the Royal College of Defence Studies in 2003. After promotion to Commodore in November 2003, he was appointed as Director of Corporate Communication for the Royal Navy."

"Commodore Adair is married to Penny and has 3 sons and his interests include photography, genealogy, shooting and skiing. He is a Younger Brother of Trinity House and a Trustee of the Britannia Association.

His first public appointment will be as the Inspecting Officer for the Royal Gun Salute, which will be fired on Monday 7th February on the anniversary of the Accession of HM Queen Elizabeth to the Throne."