09 Mar 10

Norwegian Chief of Defence Staff, General Harald Sunde visits Maritime Headquarters

The Norwegian Chief of Defence Staff, General Harald Sunde today visited NATO’s maritime HQ based at Northwood, London. During his visit General Sunde was briefed on NATO’s counter piracy mission code-named Operation Ocean Shield, which sees NATO warships operating in the Gulf of Aden and Somali Basin to deter and disrupt piracy. During the NATO briefing, Deputy Chief of Staff, (Operations), Commodore Hans Helseth Royal Norwegian Navy, spoke about the crucial co-ordination, co-operation and indeed inter-dependence between NATO and her maritime partners operating off the Horn of Africa to fight the scourge of piracy. During his visit to Northwood General Sunde also visited the Royal Navy’s Maritime Operations Centre (MOC) and the UK’s Permanent Joint HQ (PJHQ). He then attended a lunch in Northwood’s Officers’ Mess hosted by Norwegian Officers serving at both NATO and the EU’s Naval Force.

25 Feb 10

Top NATO Commander visits Maritime HQ, London

The Supreme Allied Commander Europe (known as SACEUR), Admiral James Stavridis today visited NATO’s Maritime HQ based at Northwood, London. SACEUR is the commanding officer of NATO’s Allied Command Operations (ACO).During his visit to Northwood HQ Admiral Stavridis received an update on NATO’s maritime counter piracy mission code-named Operation Ocean Shield,which sees NATO warships patrolling the waters off the Horn of Africa.
Afterwards the Admiral commented “how very proud he was” of the work
Northwood HQ and the NATO warships are doing to combat the scourge of piracy.During his visit Admiral Stavridis took the opportunity to update Northwood staff on wider NATO missions, including operations in Afghanistan. View pictures 

25 Feb 10

Operation Ocean Shield Resource Coordination Meeting

SHAPE, Joint Command Lisbon, European Union OHQ and MC Naples staff met with their MC Northwood colleagues for the third in a series of Operation Ocean Shield Resource Coordination meetings. Experts from within logistics, financial resources, human resources, CIS and medical disciplines met to address common support challenges afloat and ashore for Operation Ocean Shield and Operation Atalanta. These meetings continue to successfully address common support issues and leverage opportunities to increase efficiency and effectiveness for EU, NATO and other national ships operating in support of counter piracy missions.

18 Feb 10

NATO Commander reiterates danger of piracy in Gulf of Aden

NATO maritime commander, Admiral Sir Trevor Soar today warned seafarers sailing through the Gulf of Aden of the danger of complacency towards pirate attacks.
“Whilst NATO, her maritime partners and other navies are working hard conducting counter-piracy patrols, ships’ masters have to accept personal responsibility for the safety of their crew and should have in place the recommended self protection measures against pirate attacks” said Admiral Soar, who is based at NATO’s maritime HQ in Northwood, London. Press Release

27 Jan 10

Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Minister visit to NATO and EU

MCC Northwood today hosted a short visit by the Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Minister Poroshenko. He was accompanied by Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr.Kostiantyn Yelisieiev, the Defence Attaché Col. Kyryliuk and Secretary Nikitov.During their visit they were given briefings on counter piracy by NATO’s Deputy Chief of Staff Operations, Cdre Hans Helseth (NOR N) and the EU’s Deputy Commander EU Naval Force Rear Admiral Bartolomé Bauzá.
At the end of the visit, Minister Poroshenko thanked both organisations for their help and cooperation following the release of the vessel MV Ariana, who have a Ukrainian crew.View Pictures

26 Jan 10

Visit of French Chief of Defence Staff

General Jean-Louis Georgelin, the French Chief of Defence Staff visited MCC Northwood this morning. During his visit he received briefings on NATO’s naval and maritime challenges and on NATO’s counter piracy mission, Operation Ocean Shield. France resumed its position as a full member of NATO in April 2009. This was Gen. Georgelin’s first visit to Northwood and gave him the opportunity to meet the French officers working there. 

15 Jan 10

MCC Training Seminar in Toulon

During 13-14 Jan CC-Mar HQ Northwood conducted the NRF 15 MCC Training Seminar in Toulon (France), to this end a delegation leaded by Cdre Helseth (Seminar Director) moved to FRMARFOR HQ facilities.
CC-Mar HQ Northwood has the lead in the development and the conduct of the MCC Training Seminar for the upcoming NRF Maritime Component command.
The MCC training seminar is the first training event during the preparation phase for the upcoming NRF and the primary training audience is the MCC Battle Staff although Task Group Commanders were also invited to attend. The aim of the Seminar is to train FRMARFOR staff in new and emerging NATO issues concerning its participation as NRF Maritime component Command during the NRF-15 rotation.
The seminar’s structure is based on a series of related presentations on a particular theme. The five main themes are: NATO Deployable Forces, Joint Concepts and Operations, Certification and Evaluation, Lessons Learned and Specialized Maritime Subjects.
Briefers are provided by a variety of NATO Commands and Agencies forming an team of SME in all detailed aspects of NRF doctrine and operations.  

15 Jan 10

Deputy Assistant Secretary General visits Northwood HQ

Ambassador Lawrence Rossin, Deputy Assistant Secretary General visited NATO’s Northwood HQ on Friday 15th January accompanied by Capt. Peter Kortenoeven of NATO’s International Military Staff. They received briefings on NATO’s counter piracy mission Operation Ocean Shield. Ambassador Rossin also took the opportunity to discuss the way forward and progress of the mission with Northwood’s staff.