Allied Joint Force Command Lisbon

Joint Force Command Lisbon was one of the largest NATO bases in south Europe Allied Command Operations. It was based in Oeiras, near Lisbon, Portugal. In 2009 a French lieutenant general took command from the previous US Navy admiral who had filled the post for a number of years. It was deactivated in 2012.[1]

Allied Joint Force Command Lisbon
Joint Force Command Lisbon Emblem
Active1967-1982 COMIBERLANT
1982-1999 CINCIBERLANT
1999-2004 CINCSOUTHLANT
2004-2012 Joint Command Lisbon
Allegiance North Atlantic Treaty Organization
Part ofAllied Command Operations, HQ Casteau, Belgium
Garrison/HQOeiras, Lisbon Region
EngagementsPakistan earthquake relief 2006

History

From 1972, for many years during the Cold War, Oeiras was home to Commander Iberian Atlantic. Commanders during this period included Rear Admiral Eugene B. Fluckley and Robert Erly of the U.S. Navy. On September 18, 1982, the Defence Committee of the North Atlantic Council redesignated Commander IBERLANT (COMIBERLANT) as Commander-in-Chief IBERLANT (CINCIBERLANT) and the Portuguese Vice-Admiral Ilídio Elias da Costa took command. CINCIBERLANT was responsible to SACLANT in Norfolk, Virginia.[2] On 1 September 1999, the CINCIBERLANT command was upgraded to CINCSOUTHLANT, a NATO Regional Command with new Terms of Reference and a greater area of responsibility. The headquarters becomes Regional Headquarters South Atlantic (RHQ SOUTHLANT). On 12 June 2003, command authority for CINCSOUTHLANT was transferred from SACLANT to SACEUR, NATO's European command in Belgium.[3]

0n 4 December 2006, SACEUR rewarded Joint Command Lisbon with a Campaign Pennant to recognize the operational contribution during the Pakistan Earthquake Relief Operation.

In 2009 Joint Command Lisbon was responsible for providing assistance to the African Union on request, principally as regards airlift for the mission in Darfur; preparing staff to command the NATO Response Force; mounting a sea-based Combined Joint Task Force Headquarters; and support for cooperation and dialogue under the Partnership for Peace and Mediterranean Dialogue programmes.[4]

During the 2000s (decade), the commander was a United States Navy Vice Admiral who simultaneously held the position of Commander United States Sixth Fleet and Commander, Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO (STRIKFORNATO, the old STRIKFORSOUTH), both located in Naples, Italy. The admiral resided in Lisbon and commanded the three commands separated by the western Mediterranean through a rigorous travel schedule and electronic means, including frequent video teleconferences. Vice Admiral Bruce W. Clingan was the last U.S. commander to hold the three commands simultaneously.

Role

Joint Command Lisbon was responsible for:

  • The preparation of staff to command the NATO Response Force
  • Mounting a land or sea-based Combined Joint Task Force HQ.
  • Contributing to stability through cooperation and dialogue under Partnership for Peace (PfP) and Mediterranean Dialogue (MD).
  • The development of the Deployable Joint Staff Element (DJSE) concept.

References
  1. "Allied Joint Command Lisbon deactivation ceremony".
  2. IISS Military Balance, 1981-82, p.26
  3. "History: page 3". Archived from the original on 2009-06-26.
  4. ACO Sitrep, accessed March 2009
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