- His Majesty The King makes his first visit as monarch to the
UK's top operational military headquarters.
- Military personnel and civil servants showcase their
round-the-clock work to keep the UK and our allies safe.
- The visit reaffirms the enduring and close relationship
between the Crown and the United Kingdom's Armed Forces.
His Majesty The King today visited the Northwood military
headquarters in North-West London, paying tribute to the
dedication and service of personnel, whose 24/7 work keeps the UK
and its allies safe.
Northwood HQ is the nerve centre of UK defence, directing
military operations across the globe. Home to the UK's joint
headquarters, as well as NATO's Allied Maritime Command, His
Majesty The King met with soldiers, sailors, aviators, and civil
servants from the UK and NATO allies who are always on,
co-ordinating joint and combined military activities around the
clock.
His Majesty met with personnel across the site, including the
team who recently oversaw the UK's Carrier Strike Group
deployment to the Indo-Pacific, as well as those who play a vital
role supporting Ukraine. The visit comes as the war in Ukraine
enters its fifth year, with the UK standing to support Ukraine
for as long as it takes.
His Majesty was welcomed by the Deputy Commander of Cyber &
Specialist Operations Command (CSOC), Air Marshal Suraya
Marshall, before being shown the operational control rooms from
which all live overseas operations are managed.
Northwood, which was originally home to the RAF Coastal Command
during the Second World War, is home to key military commands,
including the UK's most recently established Four Star Military
Command - Cyber and Specialist Operations Command (CSOC), as well
as the Permanent Joint Headquarters (PJHQ), Allied Maritime
Command (MARCOM), and the Royal Navy's Maritime Operations Centre
(MOC). Together, they provide critical specialist capabilities
working in alliance, to keep the UK secure at home and strong
abroad.
Air Marshal Suraya Marshall, Deputy Commander CSOC, said:
"His Majesty's visit means a great deal to everyone here at
Northwood HQ”.
“As one of the most strategically significant military
headquarters for the UK and NATO, the work carried out here - day
and night, at home and overseas - is critical to the security of
the United Kingdom and our allies. To have that work recognised
at the highest level is a tremendous honour."
The visit recognised the dedication and professionalism of the
servicemen and women, civil servants and contractors based at
Northwood, and the vital importance of the work they do every day
in the service of the nation.
