Vintage_SEngO
19th Jun 2009, 08:52
This operation - the European Union's first ever naval operation - is to provide protection for vessels of the World Food Programme delivering food aid to displaced persons in Somalia. It has been ongoing since late 2008.
Rear Admiral Philip Jones (UK) commands the operation from the Operational Headquarters (OHQ) at Northwood, United Kingdom. There he plans and conducts the operation as directed by the authorities of the European Union.
The Political and Security Committee (PSC) exercises the political control and strategic direction of the EU military operation, under the responsibility of the Council of the European Union. For its part, the European Union Military Committee (EUMC) monitors the correct execution of the operation conducted under the responsibility of the Operation Commander.....
The above is extracted from the EU News article at EU naval operation against piracy - (EU NAVFOR Somalia - Operation ATALANTA) — EUbusiness.com - business, legal and economic news and information from the European Union (http://www.eubusiness.com/Defence/eu-navfor-atalanta) although the italics are mine. While not strictly military aviation, the implications will not be lost here. Whatever Northwood thinks its command and control authority is in this joint operation, clearly the EU considers itself in charge not only of strategic matters, but tactical and operational ones as well.
Perhaps I read too much into this, after all we've been involved in many joint operations in recent years, but this one does seem to be going a step or two further than QRs cover. If there did happen to be a question of seriously "incorrect execution" the composition of the Court Martial board might be interesting!
Rear Admiral Philip Jones (UK) commands the operation from the Operational Headquarters (OHQ) at Northwood, United Kingdom. There he plans and conducts the operation as directed by the authorities of the European Union.
The Political and Security Committee (PSC) exercises the political control and strategic direction of the EU military operation, under the responsibility of the Council of the European Union. For its part, the European Union Military Committee (EUMC) monitors the correct execution of the operation conducted under the responsibility of the Operation Commander.....
The above is extracted from the EU News article at EU naval operation against piracy - (EU NAVFOR Somalia - Operation ATALANTA) — EUbusiness.com - business, legal and economic news and information from the European Union (http://www.eubusiness.com/Defence/eu-navfor-atalanta) although the italics are mine. While not strictly military aviation, the implications will not be lost here. Whatever Northwood thinks its command and control authority is in this joint operation, clearly the EU considers itself in charge not only of strategic matters, but tactical and operational ones as well.
Perhaps I read too much into this, after all we've been involved in many joint operations in recent years, but this one does seem to be going a step or two further than QRs cover. If there did happen to be a question of seriously "incorrect execution" the composition of the Court Martial board might be interesting!