MAGAZINE
IN
FALL 2021
2017 , NATO established its ‘ Enhanced Forward
Presence ’ ( eFP ) consisting of three Multi-National Armoured Battle Groups deployed to bolster the defensive capabilities of Estonia , Latvia and Lithuania . A fourth such USled Multi-National Battlegroup was deployed to Poland . These four eFP battle groups exercising near the eastern borders of their respective countries provide visible and persistent evidence to the Baltic States and Poland of NATO ’ s enduring commitment to unified common defence against any potential use of force toward their sovereignty . Less evident , but just on the horizon , are NATO ’ s Standing Naval Forces ( SNF ): multi-national fleets of destroyers , frigates , corvettes and mine-hunting / mine-sweeping vessels which regularly patrol the Baltic Sea . These Standing Naval Maritime Groups ( SNMG ) and Mine Countermeasure Groups ( SNMCMG ) are controlled and directed by NATO ’ s Allied Command Operations ( ACO ) Maritime Command headquarters , or HQ MARCOM , from the Maritime Operational Control Centre ( MOCC ), in Northwood , UK . A relatively new entity , MARCOM declared full operational capability on 22 May 2015 and provides ongoing command for the fleets in NATO ’ s deployed Standing Naval Forces , and ongoing NATO maritime security operations , spanning from the Arctic in the High North , to the Atlantic , Mediterranean , Black Sea , and into the Indian Ocean .
NATO ’ s Amphibious Forces capabilities . In addition to its direct command of the SNF and any NATO Response Forces , MARCOM is the principle advisor to the Supreme Allied Commander Europe ( SACEUR ) and NATO on all maritime issues , maintaining situational awareness in the maritime environment , collating the Recognised Maritime Picture ( RMP ) and feeding this into the NATO Common Operating Picture ( NCOP ). MARCOM ’ s NATO Shipping Centre also provides close liaison , advice , support and coordination with international and commercial maritime agencies and shipping organisations across the world ; further enhancing maritime safety in the global commons and ensuring NATO ’ s appropriate understanding of ongoing commercial shipping traffic . This global maritime situational awareness contributes to information superiority , supports NATO decision-making , and is a critical enabler to trigger effective allied military action in response to any specific or potential threats to the Alliance or international shipping lanes .
With over 400 staff personnel commanded by Vice Admiral Keith Blount CB OBE ( GBR Royal Navy ), MARCOM is the smallest of NATO ’ s three Single Service Commands . It provides planning , direction and coordination of NATO ’ s substantial maritime assets including aircraft carriers , fighting ships , submarines and maritime patrol aircraft , as well as
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