Updated: 02-Apr-2009
CC-MAR Naples Factsheets

 

ALLIED MARITIME COMPONENT COMMAND NAPLES

The Maritime Component Command Naples is one of the three Component Commands of Allied Joint Force Command Naples. The Commander of CC Mar Naples, also known as Mar-COM Naples is responsible for the oversight, planning, coordination and execution of all Maritime-related tasks.

The Headquarters, inaugurated on 1 July 2004, replaced the Headquarters Allied Naval Forces Southern Europe (HQ NAVSOUTH) which was established as a separate headquarters on June 5, 1967, upon dissolution of Headquarters Allied Forces Mediterranean, a major NATO Subordinate Command. It is situated on the Island of Nisida, Naples, Italy. Mar-COM NAPLES is an Italian three-star Admiral with an international staff provided by Bulgaria, Canada, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States. Albania and Israel are represented by liaison officers.

Mar-COM NAPLES controls two of NATO’s Immediate Reaction Forces, the Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 (SNMG2) and the Standing NATO MCM Group 2 (SNMCMG2). In addition, Mar-COM Naples coordinates, on a 24-hour daily basis, maritime surveillance within the Mediterranean area.

Furthermore, two former NATO Commands, classified as "Special Entities" are responsible to Mar-COM Naples for the conduct of naritime air and submarine operations: Commander Maritime Air Naples (COMMARAIRNAPLES) and Commander Submarine Southern Region (COMSUBSOUTH). Both are lead by a US Navy Rear Admiral and have headquarters at Capodichino, Naples, Italy.

From July 1992 to October 1996, COMNAVSOUTH commanded the joint Western European Union (WEU)/NATO maritime operation known as Sharp Guard in support of United Nations Resolutions regarding the former Yugoslavia. Mar-COM NAPLES continue to provide maritime forces in support of NATO operations in the Balkans.

Since 26 October 2001, Mar-COM NAPLES (and previously COMNAVSOUTH) has commanded Operation Active Endeavour, NATO’s maritime contribution to the fight against terrorism.

On 24 October 2008 Mar-Com Naples started the Operation Allied Provider, the NATO Maritime contribution against piracy off Somali coast in support to World Food Program chartered vessels. The operation was conducted in response to the request by the United Nations Secretary General and in support of UN Security Council resolutions 1814,1816 and 1838. Operation Allied Provider was terminated on 12 December 2008, after the EU Operation Atalanta - which was launched with similar aims - had been declared operational.

Mission and Key Tasks

The mission of the Mar-COM Naples is to be prepared to plan, conduct and/or support the full range of military operations anywhere in the world in order to deter aggression, contribute to effective crisis management, and promote peace, security and stability.

Key Tasks include:

  • Contribute to crisis management and deterrence by establishing and maintaining effective operational readiness as Maritime Component Commander.
  • Ensure proper assessment of capability and capacity through implementation of automated information exchange systems.
  • Conduct Accession and Integration activities.
  • Contribute to preserving peace, security and territorial integrity of Alliance member states by providing a landmaritime planning and deployable Command and Control capability; by conducting or supporting the full range of NATO operations throughout the NATO Area of Operations and beyond; by contributing to effective crisis management and by promoting and enhancing stability through military cooperation activities.
  • Serve as the main advisor to COM JFC Naples on all maritime-orientated matters.

See also: History of CC-Mar Naples