Structure of the British Armed Forces in 1989 Rear admiral). The post of Commander British Forces Falkland Islands rotated between British Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force 2-star rank flag officers (Major General, Rear admiral and Air vice-marshal). The Commander British Forces Hong Kong was a British Army Major General. The two local auxiliary defence forces were administered by the Hong Kong Government, but when called out would have come under the command of Commander British Forces: Structure of the British Armed Forces in 1989 At the end of the Cold War in 1989 the British Armed Forces structure was as follows: In 1989 the British Armed
British Armed Forces appointed to the position of CDS had been elevated to the most senior rank in their respective service (a 5-star rank). The CDS, along with the Permanent Under Secretary, are the principal advisers to the departmental minister. The three services have their own respective professional chiefs: the First Sea Lord, the Chief of the General Staff and the Chief of the Air Staff. The British Armed Forces are a professional force with a strength of 149,710 UK Regulars and Gurkhas, 36,480 Volunteer Reserves and 7,960 "Other Personnel" . This gives a total strength of 194,140 "UK Service Personnel". As a