Overview
Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) near Mons, Belgium is the Headquarters of Allied Command Operations (ACO), one of NATO's two strategic military commands. It performs the operational duties previously undertaken by Allied Command Europe and Allied Command Atlantic. The latter has now become Allied Command Transformation (ACT) headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia. Commanded by Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (SACT), it is responsible for promoting and overseeing the continuing transformation of Alliance forces and capabilities, especially through training and development of concepts and doctrine
ACO is commanded by the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) and responsible for all Alliance operations, ranging from the Straits of Gibraltar to Afghanistan.
More...Background
Following the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty on 4 April 1949, the NATO Allies asked the President of the United States to designate an officer who would become SACEUR and who would establish an integrated Allied military command for the defence of the NATO nations of Europe.
More...Mission
The mission of ACO and the SACEUR is to contribute to preserving the peace, security and territorial integrity of NATO member nations in its area of responsibility.
More...Structure
The command structure beneath SHAPE has been significantly streamlined, with a reduction in the number of headquarters.
The second tier or operational level consists of standing joint force command in Brunssum, the Netherlands, and in Naples, Italy, both of which can conduct operations from their static locations or provide a land-based Combined Joint Task Force (CJTF) headquarters, and a robust but more limited standing joint headquarters, in Lisbon, Portugal, from which a sea-based CJTF headquarters capability can be drawn.
More...Biographies
The current Supreme Allied Commander Europe is Admiral James G. Stavridis, United States Navy. He assumed office as 16th SACEUR on 2 July 2009.
More...Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe is General John McColl, British Army. General John McColl assumed office 22 October 2007.
More...Chief of Staff SHAPE is General Karl-Heinz Lather, German Army. General Karl-Heinz Lather was appointed Chief of Staff on 12 September 2007.
More...Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Allied Command Operations is U.S. Army Command Sergeant Major Michael Bartelle. Command Sergeant Major Michael Bartelle assumed his current post as the 1st senior non-commissioned officer for Allied Command Operations 17 July 17 2006.
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