Rapidly-deployable and flexible maritime forces are at the heart of NATO planning – and the UK is at the forefront of this new configuration.

With fundamental changes in the so-called ‘strategic environment’ as the Cold War fades into history, NATO has been carrying out a review of its force structures, the scenarios in which they may be needed and how such forces could be employed.

The khaki element was resolved through the creation of six land formations, designated High Readiness Forces (Land).

When the focus moved on to the sea, three water-borne equivalents were created as High Readiness Forces (Maritime) or HRF(M)s.

Three nations were selected to set up the necessary headquarters and mechanisms; Italy and Spain are well advanced in the task, but the UK was the first to be ready for evaluation, and the man at the top is confidently awaiting confirmation of formal accreditation.

Rear Admiral David Snelson, who recently handed over command of the aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal to Capt Alan Massey, relishes the extra responsibilities.

“I went from one of the best jobs in the Navy to one of the best jobs in the Navy,” said Admiral Snelson, Commander UK Maritime Forces (COMUKMARFOR) in RN circles, though awaiting formal notification of his title for NATO matters.

“Bringing Ark Royal out of refit was a fantastic job and a great honour, but to get to be the Royal Navy’s only sea-going admiral, with a number of interesting deployments on the horizon, is marvellous. I’m very grateful to have the opportunity.”

The new UK HRF(M) formation has its headquarters at the COMUKMARFOR base, the brand new Fleet Battle Staff HQ on Whale Island in Portsmouth, but the team are expected to adapt quickly to the nomadic life.

HRF(M) HQ staff are at seven days notice to commence operational planning and 20 days’ notice to deploy for a NATO operation – although in one of the many overlaps between NATO and national responsibilities they are at much shorter notice, with just 48 hours to react to a UK alert.

Each of the three HRF(M)s has a nominated command platform, with aircraft carriers being the preferred option as they must be able to absorb a large influx of HQ staff as well as being able to take a complex command and control equipment fit.

These command platforms could be home for HQ staff for prolonged periods, and this group is also expected to be able to move ashore to a temporary land headquarters if required.

Readying Ark for HRF(M) accreditation has been a significant achievement with many agencies, including the Fleet Battle Staff, FSL and ship’s staff overcoming significant challenges to have her ready on time.

But people are just as important as the kit, and Admiral Snelson said that the UK need for a flexible Maritime Battle Staff HQ helped the Royal Navy swiftly adapt to the mix-and-match nature of the NATO structure.

“In this new Battle Staff building there is myself as the deployable two-star officer, and literally just across the corridor is Maj Gen Tony Milton, the Commander UK Amphibious Task Group,” said the admiral.

“Then we have got Commodore Richard Leaman, Commander UK Task Group, Commodore Jamie Miller, who is Commander Amphibious Task Group, and Brig Jim Dutton, who is Commander 3 Commando Brigade.

“Between us we have more than 180 staff people, including 14 international officers.

“And out of all of them you can put together a whole range of staff combinations of operational commanders and groupings of staff officers. It all came out of the Fleet First review, and is working very well.

“We also have the responsibility to provide this HRF(M) for NATO, and we do that with most of the assets we already have for the Maritime Battle Staff.

“What we are doing is providing NATO with a special tailored capability, but one which can also be used by the nation.

“One of the benefits it has brought is that it brings a big allied NATO dimension to this HQ
in Portsmouth, and therefore strengthens our links with other European navies.”

Admiral Snelson said that Naval Task Group 2003, which has now deployed to the Eastern Mediterranean for exercises and any possible call-up for operations in Iraq, showed many of the characteristics of both the national and NATO functions, being flexible and deployable anywhere at short notice – though he stressed that NTG03 is a national, not a NATO group.

The UK HQ was first tasked with developing NATO accreditation in April 2001, and after a good deal of hard work the full operational capability evaluation was conducted on board Ark Royal in early December 2002.