NATO

Since its formation, NATO has safeguarded peace and stability in the Euro Atlantic area. The dramatic geopolitical changes, which followed the collapse of the Warsaw Pact and the break-up of the Soviet Union have required NATO to reconsider its role to guarantee continuance of this stability.

The Allied Maritime Component Command Headquarters Northwood (MCC HQ Northwood) with its highly experienced staff, is at the forefront in the development of initiatives for the strategic environment.

The origins of the Headquarters situated at Northwood, which is about 32 kilometres north-west of London, pre-date NATO.

In 1948 the Western European Union founded its Channel Command here but in 1952, the responsibilities and functions associated with this area were assumed by NATO which took over and expanded the Headquarters; thus it is the longest established command in the Alliance.

Co-located with UK national maritime and joint staffs, and using many shared facilities, the Headquarters possesses excellent command and control systems and the Ocean Intelligence Centre.

MCC HQ Northwood plays an important role in the day-to-day business of NATO. It is responsible for maintaining the Recognised Maritime Picture (RMP), a strategic picture of the position of all naval ships and Task Forces in the Atlantic.

Additionally, it is responsible for the administration and programming of two of NATO's four standing naval forces, namely : Standing Naval Force Atlantic (SNMG1), and Mine Countermeasures Force Northern Europe (SNMCMG1), on behalf of Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) as delegated through Commander Allied Maritime Component Command Northwood.

These Immediate Reaction Forces (IRF) are on constant standby for operations in the whole world. On 12 September 2001 NATO implemented Article 5 of the Washington Treaty following the 11 September attacks against the United States.

Following US requests, NATO subsequently agreed to implement 8 specific measures to expand the options available in the campaign against terrorism. These measures included the deployment of elements of NATO's Standing Naval Forces to the Eastern Mediterranean in order to provide a NATO presence and demonstrate resolve.

As part of the 'PfP (Partnership for Peace) Enhancement' measures introduced at the NATO Summit in Madrid, a PfP Staff Element (PSE) was established at RHQ EASTLANT. This has involved the planning of exercises and the development of a structured approach to achieve interoperability with Partner nations.

Of course, this aim can only be reached by working in unison with other headquarters.

On 31st December 2003, Commander-in-Chief East Atlantic (CINCEASTLANT) was deactivated, as was Commander Allied Naval Forces North (COMNAVNORTH) on 30 June 2004 to become Allied Maritime Component Command Northwood.

Originally established as Commander-in-Chief Channel in February 1952, the historic decommissioning is part of NATO's far-reaching transition process to a new military command structure.

The new NATO Command Structure reflects the expanded roles and tasks faced by NATO in recent years and MCC HQ Northwood, in conjunction with MCC HQ Naples, as the main Joint Force Maritime advisers to Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), will have a vital part to play in the conduct of maritime operations and the formulation and implementation of policy in all areas of naval and maritime activity.