- Lt Gen DSO OBE will take up the post
of Commander Joint Force Command Norfolk in September
2026, the first British officer to be appointed to the role.
- Based in the United States, JFC Norfolk commands NATO
operations for the Atlantic, UK, High North and northern Europe.
- Comes as European allies step up to take on more leadership
roles across the Alliance.
Lieutenant General DSO OBE will assume command
on promotion to General of NATO's Joint Force Command (JFC)
Norfolk in September 2026, the first time a British officer has
ever held the role.
The move strengthens British leadership in NATO as
European allies step up to take on more leadership roles across
the Alliance.
JFC Norfolk is one of NATO's most crucial commands, serving
as the operational headquarters of the Alliance in North America,
and responsible for Arctic and High North security, as well as
protecting strategic sea lines of communication across the
Atlantic.
Lt Gen Perry's appointment is part of a new distribution of
leadership roles in NATO's Command Structure where European
officers will lead all three Joint Force Commands in Brunssum,
Naples and Norfolk, while US officers will lead the three
component commands of air, land and maritime.
Lt Gen Perry has led a distinguished career spanning more than 30
years' service. He took up the position of UK Chief of Joint
Operations (CJO) in November 2024, having prior served as
Assistant Chief of the General Staff for the British Army.
JFC Norfolk was established in 2019 and is located at the world's
largest naval base in Norfolk, Virginia. The Command reports
directly to the Supreme Allied Commander Europe General Alexus G.
Grynkewich.
Prime Minister said:
"Lieutenant General represents the very best of the
British military and I am in no doubt that he will be a superb
Commander of JFC Norfolk.
"As Europe steps up to build a more European NATO, I am proud
that British excellence and expertise will be at the heart of its
command structure, keeping the UK and the NATO Alliance safe in
the years ahead."
Defence Secretary MBE MP said:
I warmly congratulate Lieutenant General on his deserved promotion and
appointment as Commander JFC Norfolk.
Throughout his very distinguished career, Nick has made an
outstanding contribution to defence. His appointment to one of
NATO's most important commands reflects his leadership skills and
exceptional commitment to public service.
His command will strengthen NATO's defence and deterrence at this
dangerous time, demonstrating the UK's leading contribution to
building a stronger, more capable Alliance.
Supreme Allied Commander Europe General Alexus G.
Grynkewich said:
A British officer taking command of Joint Force Command Norfolk
from an American, is just one of the many examples of European
Allies taking on a greater leadership role within NATO.
This creates more equity within our Alliance and is another step
towards the fulfilment of NATO 3.0,' which is becoming
increasingly existent everyday thanks to the continued
investments by Europe and Canada towards our collective security.
I could not think of a better officer to replace Doug [U.S. Navy
Vice Admiral Doug Perry, the current Joint Force Command Norfolk
commander] and lead Joint Force Command Norfolk at this time.
"As CJO, Nick has planned and controlled all the UK's overseas
military operations. He has created a powerful network of
relationships across the globe with NATO Allied Command
Operations' joint force commanders, which will soon all be led by
Europeans, U.S. combatant commanders, peer international CJOs,
and more. This experience and these linkages will serve him well
in his new role, especially as I look to him and the Alliance's
newest joint force command to do more to secure the Arctic and
the strategic approaches between North America and Europe.
Lieutenant General DSO OBE said:
It is a tremendous honour to have been selected as the next
Commander JFC Norfolk. At a time of increasing strategic
competition, it is a huge privilege to take command of a
warfighting headquarters at the heart of NATO's collective
defence of the Euro-Atlantic.
I am particularly proud to become the first British officer to
command JFC Norfolk, reflecting the United Kingdom's enduring
commitment to NATO. I look forward to working alongside our
Allies and partners to strengthen readiness, enhance deterrence
and ensure the Alliance remains prepared to meet the challenges
of today and tomorrow.
I would like to pay tribute to Vice Admiral Doug Perry, US Navy,
for his outstanding leadership of JFC Norfolk. I am really
looking forward to building on his legacy with the Norfolk team
to strengthen our alliance and defend NATO's interests
across the Arctic, Atlantic and High North.
ENDS
Background:
The three Joint Commands are:
- Joint Force Command Brunssum
- Joint Force Command Naples
- Joint Force Command Norfolk
The three component commands are:
- Allied Air Command (AIRCOM). HQ in Ramstein, Germany.
- Allied Land Command (LANDCOM). HQ in Izmir, Turkey.
- Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM). HQ in Northwood, UK.
