NATO MARCOM handover ceremony renews focus on operational output

摘要

NATO's Maritime Command (MARCOM) has appointed a new commanding officer, at a time of increasing instability in Europe and when the organisation is considering how it can best provide security for its members as well as across its areas of interest. The UK Royal Navy's (RN's) Vice Admiral Clive Johnstone took over from the RN's Vice Admiral Peter Hudson, in a ceremony held at the MARCOM headquarters in Northwood, UK on 13 October. Vice Adm Hudson has held the position since February 2013. NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe General Philip Breedlove USAF said in a statement that MARCOM had kept close hold on "all threats and risks to maritime security." The general said at the ceremony that NATO is "very concerned with what is going on in Syria and Libya and with all the possible consequences to our security." While not mentioning any state in particular, Gen Breed-love continued, "At the same time, we cannot forget to mention the challenges from the east that have triggered... the ongoing process of adapting our alliance to the challenges we face today."