Only NATO Joint Force Command in the US to be Led by a British General for the First Time

Central News Agency (CNA) - London, July 8 (CNA) European nations are playing an increasingly significant role in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Starting this September, NATO Joint Force Command Norfolk (JFC Norfolk), located in Norfolk, Virginia, will be led for the first time by British General, Army General Nick Perry.

Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) of NATO, U.S. Air Force General Alexus G. Grynkewich, stated today that the handover of the JFC Norfolk command from a U.S. general to a British general is just one of many examples of European allies taking on greater leadership roles within the NATO framework, and that this development will lead to a more equitable relationship within NATO.

The current commander of JFC Norfolk is U.S. Navy Vice Admiral Doug Perry.

NATO Joint Force Command Norfolk (JFC Norfolk) is located at the world's largest naval base and commands NATO allies' cross-branch operations in the North Atlantic, the United Kingdom, Northern Europe, and the High North, including the Arctic Circle. It is one of NATO's most important commands and serves as the North American headquarters for NATO allied forces, with an operational domain covering land, sea, air, space, and cyber.

NATO currently has three Joint Force Commands, located in Norfolk, Brunssum, Netherlands, and Naples, Italy. JFC Norfolk is the only NATO Joint Force Command located in the United States.

Geographically, the Brunssum command is primarily responsible for NATO's eastern flank and central Europe, while the Naples command covers NATO's southern flank, the Mediterranean, and surrounding waters. All three Joint Force Commands are cross-branch.

At the urging of the United States, European member states are taking on increasingly significant tasks within the NATO command structure. The first-time leadership of the NATO Allied Forces North American Headquarters by the United Kingdom is particularly significant and indicates a further strengthening of British influence within NATO.

The UK Ministry of Defence stated today that in the future, all three NATO Joint Force Commands will be led by European member state generals, while the United States plans to lead individual service component commands of NATO Allied Forces, including the Air and Space Operations Command (AIRCOM) headquartered at Ramstein Air Base in Germany, the Allied Land Command (LANDCOM) in Izmir, Turkey, and the Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM) in Northwood, United Kingdom.

Perry has served in the military for over 30 years and took over as Commander, Joint Operations (CJO) of the United Kingdom in November 2024. Grynkewich mentioned that as CJO, Perry has commanded and controlled all of the UK's overseas military operations, thus having the opportunity to build strong relationships with multiple countries, which will benefit NATO. (Editor: Chang Chi-hsuan) 1150708

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