NORFOLK, Virginia - Leadership from Joint Force Command Norfolk (JFCNF), NATO’s newest operational level warfighting headquarters, held a working seminar for multinational guests at Headquarters, Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, on Thursday Jan. 10, 2019.

The seminar’s focus was to determine the command network and warfighting narrative of the new command and address JFCNF’s ability to synchronize and integrate joint and combined forces within a designated area of responsibility.

"Today, and throughout the planning process, we have the opportunity to build JFC Norfolk from the ground up,” said Vice Admiral Andrew "Woody” Lewis, JFCNF Commander. "To make it fit for its time, and fit for its purpose.”

In addition to commanding JFCNF, Lewis is commander, U.S. Second Fleet, established by the U.S. Navy last August. The commands are distinct, but linked through their mission and shared trans-Atlantic areas of responsibilities.

"The security environment has changed; it is more critical than ever that we, the military leaders within NATO, continue to reinforce our commitment to ensure we achieve our shared visions,” said Lewis. "The strength of our nations are inextricably linked together and the security and stability of the NATO alliance depends on it.”

JFCNF provides a critical capability to Supreme Allied Commander Europe’s (SACEUR) operational responsibilities. It was born out of the Allied assessment of a changing security environment that emphasizes the trans-Atlantic as a critical domain. As an organisation governed by an international Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), it brings with it the ability to act early in order to ensure a joint deterrent effect and improve the responsiveness of NATO.