NORTHWOOD, United Kingdom - Thirty-nine Fleet Commanders and senior NATO command representatives from Allied and Partnership for Peace nations met at Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM) Headquarters in Northwood, UK for a Maritime Operational Commanders Conference (MOCC) March 1-2.
 
The conference served as a platform to openly discuss maritime topics to enhance cooperation across the maritime domain and increase cohesion of effort.
 
The event was also an opportunity for MARCOM to update naval leadership from across the Alliance on how NATO is using the ships, aircraft, submarines and sailors contributed by the nations to support collective defence of all Allied nations while at the same time providing value back to individual navies.
 
In describing his role as MARCOM Commander, Vice Admiral Clive Johnstone, CB CBE, UKRN stated, "I am your maritime commander. I am your supplier, you are my customer, tell me what more you want me to do.”
 
The conference covered topics ranging from the development of the new NATO Operation Sea Guardian which focuses on Maritime Security Operations in the Mediterranean to coordination and cooperation across the NATO area of responsibility on Maritime Situational Awareness development and maintenance.
 
Participants also used the opportunity to inform the continued progress of MARCOM develop future plans to be more responsive to national needs while maintaining a highly capable force continuously ready to provide collective defence.
 
MARCOM is the maritime operational commander for NATO and serves as NATO’s principle maritime advisor. The command leads four standing maritime groups, Operation Sea Guardian and additional assets as assigned by nations. MARCOM maintains linkages with commercial shipping through the NATO Shipping Centre and NATO’s maritime situational awareness across the region.