The First Sea Lord reinforces the United Kingdom Commitment to NATO.
NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, General André Lanata was visited today by the Admiral Sir Philip Jones, The First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff.
Admiral Jones is the professional head of the five fighting arms of the United Kingdom’s Naval Service. During the visit General Lanata and Admiral Jones met to discuss the role of Allied Command Transformation and in particular the links between the Royal Navy’s transformation programme and the goals of Allied Command Transformation as NATO’s Warfare Development Command.
This visit was Admiral Jones’ last visit to the United States in his role as the First Sea Lord and he also delivered a message of continuity as the Royal Navy prepares for a change in Leadership.
The visit also gave the First Sea Lord the opportunity to meet some of the Royal Navy personnel who are assigned to Allied Command Transformation in Norfolk, NATO’s home in the United States. Admiral Jones passed his thanks for their part in supporting NATO and highlighted the benefit of Allied Command Transformation outputs to the Royal Navy and the wider United Kingdom Military. He then went on to present Long Service and Good Conduct Medals to seven NATO personnel from the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force. After hearing the citations and presenting the medals, Admiral Jones highlighted the broad and rich experience of the United Kingdom personnel and their experience and skill-sets and, how it reflected the depth of expertise that Allied Command Transformation has at its disposal to support its delivery of Warfare Development.