British Lieutenant General Nick Perry will assume command of NATO's Joint Force Command (JFC) Norfolk in September. According to the British government, he will be the first British officer to lead the headquarters, which is responsible for NATO's operations in the Atlantic, the Arctic, the High North, and northern Europe.

As Nordic Defence Sector previously reported, NATO decided in February that European allies would gradually take over leadership of the alliance's three operational Joint Force Commands, while the United States assumes responsibility for the three component commands covering air, land, and maritime forces. The appointment of Perry means that this change is now being implemented for JFC Norfolk.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer describes the appointment as part of Europe's growing responsibility within the alliance in a press release from the British government.

"As Europe takes on greater responsibility for building a more European NATO, I am proud that British expertise will be at the heart of the alliance's command structure," said Starmer.

NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), General Alexus G. Grynkewich, emphasises that the change of command is an example of European allies taking on a greater leadership role within NATO.

"A British officer assuming command of Joint Force Command Norfolk from an American counterpart is one of many examples of European allies taking greater leadership within NATO. It creates a more balanced alliance," said Grynkewich.

JFC Norfolk was established in 2019 and is based in Norfolk, Virginia, in the United States. The headquarters is responsible for, among other things, the protection of transatlantic sea lines of communication as well as NATO's operations in the Arctic and the North Atlantic.

In December 2025, Finland, Sweden, and Denmark were transferred to JFC Norfolk's area of responsibility by a decision of SACEUR, General Alexus G. Grynkewich. JFC Norfolk is therefore responsible for the Atlantic area, the Arctic, the High North, and the Nordic countries within the alliance's operational command structure.

Nick Perry will assume the post in September 2026, succeeding US Vice Admiral Doug Perry.