Denmark has assumed responsibility for NATO's regional headquarters for special operations, the Special Operations Component Command North West (SOCC-NW), from Norway. The headquarters in Aalborg (northern Denmark) will lead and coordinate special operations in the Arctic and the North Atlantic, and according to NATO it strengthens the alliance's capabilities on the north-western flank.
In a press release from the Danish Armed Forces, it is stated that SOCC-NW is subordinate to Joint Force Command Norfolk and will plan, coordinate, and lead special operations in close cooperation with NATO commands and allied nations. Activities include cooperation with the Nordic countries, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
"I am pleased that Denmark has now been given responsibility for the special operations headquarters and is taking on an important role in special operations in the Arctic and the Nordic region. By assuming responsibility for NATO's special operations headquarters, Denmark demonstrates that we take responsibility for our collective security within NATO," says Denmark's Minister of Defence, Jeppe Bruus.
The transfer follows Denmark's offer to NATO last year to establish the headquarters. According to the Danish Armed Forces, the assignment gives the country a central role in the development and coordination of NATO's special operations capability in the region.
"The fact that we are now establishing a special operations forces headquarters with a standing core staff in peacetime is a new step in NATO's force structure and constitutes an important tool for managing the security policy situation and the threats facing the alliance," says Denmark's Chief of Defence, General Michael Wiggers Hyldgaard.
In a separate press release, NATO Joint Force Command Norfolk describes the transfer as an important milestone for the alliance's north-western region. During the handover ceremony, Major General Kristoffersen, Deputy Chief of Operations at Joint Force Command Norfolk, highlighted that the Danish command responsibility complements other Nordic NATO contributions, including the Combined Air Operations Centre in Norway and the Multi Corps Land Component Command in Finland.
"The transfer of Special Operations Component Command North West from Norway to Denmark reflects the strength of allied cooperation and our shared commitment to NATO's collective defence. It is an important milestone for the alliance's north-western region," says Major General Kristoffersen.
The new headquarters is located at Flyvestation Aalborg (Aalborg Air Station, northern Denmark) alongside Denmark's special operations command. Norway will at the same time continue to be a close partner in the area of special operations, with a particular focus on activities in the northern regions.