Rear Admiral Mark Anderson has assumed command of the Allied Reaction Force (Maritime), the maritime component of NATO’s response to international crises. The force can deploy land, sea and air assets to defend and deter across the Alliance’s area of responsibility.
HMS Queen Elizabeth will act as the Afloat Command Platform during the UK’s 12-month duty. Rear Admiral Anderson and his battle staff will command and coordinate Allied Reaction Force maritime operations from the carrier if the force is activated.
“The UK remains committed to NATO and taking command of the maritime component of the ARF is a clear demonstration to partners and allies that the Royal Navy will play its part in responding swiftly and effectively to crisis,” said Rear Admiral Anderson. Command of the maritime force was transferred to him and his staff from the Spanish Navy during a ceremony at the NATO Rapid Deployable Corps Italy Headquarters near Milan last week.
Rear Admiral Anderson is Commander of the United Kingdom Strike Forces, the Royal Navy’s senior fighting battle staff for planning, coordinating and executing operations. UK Strike Forces is designed to lead national task forces and multinational missions, including those conducted with NATO and the Joint Expeditionary Force.
Rear Admiral Anderson and Captain Claire Thompson, the Commanding Officer of HMS Queen Elizabeth, delivered speeches to sailors and Royal Marines during the ceremony on 2 July. The event marked the start of the UK’s leadership of the NATO maritime force.
The Allied Reaction Force (Maritime) will now be ready to conduct operations at the direction of NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe. If activated, NATO would deploy relevant warships, naval air power and support vessels to respond to a crisis.
The wider Allied Reaction Force is held at high readiness and is designed to respond to modern security challenges requiring coordinated action. These include hybrid warfare, terrorism and cyber-attacks.
The Allied Reaction Force includes land, maritime, air, special operations forces, cyber, space, logistics and strategic communications elements provided by NATO member countries. The maritime component now falls under Royal Navy command for the UK’s 12-month period of responsibility.
HMS Queen Elizabeth returned to the Royal Navy fleet in May 2026 after extensive engineering work in dry dock in Rosyth, Scotland. Since then, the carrier has completed intensive training to prepare for NATO operations.
At the same time as the Royal Navy takes charge of the maritime component, the UK is also taking command of the Alliance’s high-readiness special operations force for the first time. The UK’s Special Operations Forces have assumed leadership of the Special Operations Component Command within the Allied Reaction Force.
Royal Marines from 42 Commando will spearhead the maritime element through the Special Operations Maritime Task Group. The group provides NATO with elite troops able to deploy at very short notice for missions such as recapturing vessels and oil rigs, as well as covert coastal raids ahead of allied amphibious landings.
The task group includes specialist teams from across the Royal Navy and UK Commando Force. These include pilots, boarding teams, engineers and boat operators, each contributing specific skills to the maritime special operations mission.
