Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley addresses audience at ceremony celebrating NATO’s Joint Force Command Norfolk reaching full operational capability on board the USS Kearsarge on July 15, 2021. Seated is JFC Norfolk Commander Vice Admiral Andrew Lewis. (US Navy Photo)
By Gary Raynaldo DIPLOMATIC TIMES
The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff marked the full operational capability of NATO’s Joint Force Command — Norfolk last week, saying preventing war is paramount. Army Gen. Mark A. Milley spoke to assembled dignitaries on the USS Kearsarge along with the U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Andrew L. Lewis, the Joint Force Command — Norfolk and U.S. Second Fleet commander. The NATO command is the only Joint Force Command in North America. The mission of the command is to fight when deterrence fails and win the Battle of the Atlantic.
“In my view, the world is entering a period of potential instability as some nations … and clearly terrorist groups and perhaps some rogue actors, are seeking to undermine and challenge the existing international order. They seek to weaken the system of cooperation and collective security that has been in existence for some time. The dynamic nature of today’s current environment is counterbalanced by an order that was put in place 76 years ago, at the end of World War II.”
-Army Gen. Mark A. Milley
NATO’s newest operational command, established in July 2019 as part of the Alliance’s command structure adaptation, is the first NATO headquarters dedicated to the Atlantic since 2003. Its mission is to protect the Strategic Lines of Communication across all domains, protect sea-lanes between Europe and North America and enable the reinforcement of Europe.
U.S Navy Vice Adm. Andrew Lewis
U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Andrew L. Lewis, Commander of the Joint Force Command Norfolk. (Credit: Navy.mil)
Opening the ceremony on-board the USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), Navy Vice Admiral Lewis acknowledged the importance of the achievement of NATO’s new operational command Norfolk.
“The security environment continues to grow more challenging and complex – particularly in the Atlantic. JFC Norfolk demonstrates NATO’s dedication to security and stability in the region and sends a strong message of reassurance to both North Americans and Europeans, while serving as a powerful signal to deter any potential adversary”.
Vice Adm. Lewis is a native of Los Altos, California, and a 1985 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy. He was designated a Naval Aviator in April 1987. His command tours include Carrier Strike Group 12, Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3, Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 106, and Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA)15.
Lewis’ operational sea tours include Attack Squadron 72, 800 Naval Air Squadron, and VFA-192. Other deployed tours have been as a Battle Director at the Combined Air Operations Center in Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, and as the Maritime Operations Center Director at U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. 5th Fleet/Combined Maritime Forces. He has flown over 100 combat missions in Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Southern Watch, Deny Flight, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. He has accumulated over 5,300 flight hours and 1,100 arrested landings. He was the recipient of the Naval Air Forces Pacific Pilot of the Year in 1996.
Lewis assumed duties as commander, U.S. Second Fleet in August 2018 and was named Commander, Joint Forces Command Norfolk in October 2018.
Today Joint Force Command Norfolk declared Full Operational Capability. Thank you to @USSKearsarge for hosting the ceremony and to our guest speaker Gen. Mark Milley @thejointstaff for your words. #WeAreNATO #StrongerTogether pic.twitter.com/qUtLXGeaSW
— JFC Norfolk (@JFCNorfolk) July 15, 2021
“NATO is still the most powerful alliance in the world, and the United States is still the most powerful and capable military in the world. The challenge to us is, we have to keep it that way, We have to maintain the readiness of the present, we have to modernize for the future. We are ready right now. Those who think we are not are mistaken. And any adversary that seeks to challenge the United States military resolve will do well to respect this military, and our alliances and NATO.”
-Army Gen. Milley
