Task Forces North Norway; a Commander Allied Land Forces Norway; a Commander Allied Naval Forces Scandinavian Approaches; a Commander Allied Tactical Air Forces Southern Norway; and a Commander Allied Forces Baltic Approaches.

b. The Central Europe Command

The Commander-in-Chief Central Europe has under him a Commander Allied Land Forces Central Europe and a Commander Allied Air Forces Central Europe. c. The Southern Europe Command

The Commander-in-Chief Southern Europe has under him a Commander of Naval Striking and Support Forces Southern Europe, two Commanders Allied Land Forces, one for Southern Europe and one for South-Eastern Europe, and a Commander Allied Air Forces Southern Europe.

d. The Mediterranean Command

The Commander-in-Chief Mediterranean has under him the Commanders of the Gibraltar-Mediterranean, Western Mediterranean, Central Mediterranean, SouthEastern Mediterranean, Eastern Mediterranean and North-Eastern Mediterranean areas.

THE ATLANTIC OCEAN COMMAND

This Command extends from the North Pole to the Tropic of Cancer and from the coastal waters of North America to those of Europe and Africa, including Portugal, except for the Channel and the British Isles.

The Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic (SACLANT) is Admiral Thomas H. Moorer (U.S. Navy), who, like the Supreme Allied Commander Europe, receives his directions from the Standing Group.

SACLANT's peacetime responsibilities are defined as:

a. preparing and finalizing defence plans;

b. conducting joint and combined training exercises;

c. laying down training standards and determining the establishment of units; d. supplying the NATO authorities with information on his strategic requirements.

The primary task in wartime of the Allied Command Atlantic would be to ensure security in the whole Atlantic Area by guarding the sea lanes and denying their use to an enemy. SACLANT has responsibility for islands in this area, such as Iceland and the Azores.

His authority in the event of war covers, in particular:

- The determination of the composition and deployment of forces.

- Overall direction of operations.

- Assignment of forces.

SACLANT's responsibilities are almost entirely operational. Unlike SACEUR, he has no forces permanently attached to his Command in peacetime. However, for training

purposes and in the event of war, forces earmarked by the nations involved are assigned to his direction. Although these forces are predominantly naval, they also include ground and land-based air forces.

Like SACEUR, SACLANT has the right of direct access to the Chiefs-of-Staff and, as occasion demands, to the appropriate Defence Ministers and Heads of Government.

COMMANDS SUBORDINATE TO THE SUPREME ALLIED COMMANDER ATLANTIC a. THE WESTERN ATLANTIC COMMAND, whose Commander-in-Chief has under him a Submarine Force Western Atlantic Area Command, an Ocean Sub-Area Command, a Canadian Atlantic Sub-Area Command, and the Bermuda, Azores and Greenland Island Commands.

b. THE EASTERN ATLANTIC COMMAND, whose Commander-in-Chief has under him a Commander Maritime Air Eastern Atlantic Area, a Commander Northern SubArea, a Commander Maritime Air Northern Sub-Area, a Commander Central SubArea, a Commander Maritime Air Central Sub-Area, a Commander Submarine Force Eastern Atlantic Area, and the Island Commanders of Iceland and the Faeroes.

C. THE STRIKING FLEET ATLANTIC COMMAND, whose Commander has under him a Commander Carrier Striking Force, and the Commanders of Carrier Striking Groups One and Two.

d. THE SUBMARINES ALLIED COMMAND ATLANTIC.

e. THE IBERIAN ATLANTIC COMMAND (to be activated), whose Commander-inChief has under him the Island Commander of Madeira and the Naval Commander of Gibraltar.

THE CHANNEL COMMITTEE AND CHANNEL COMMAND

The Channel Committee consists of the Naval Chiefs-of-Staff (or their representatives) of Belgium, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Directly under the Channel Committee is the Allied Command Channel, covering the English Channel and southern North Sea.

The Allied Commander-in-Chief is Admiral Sir Wilfrid J. W. Woods (UK). His Maritime Air Adviser is also the Commander Allied Maritime Air Force Channel, Air Marshal P.D. Holder (UK).

CANADA-UNITED STATES REGIONAL PLANNING GROUP

This Planning Group, which covers the North American area, develops and recommends to the Military Committee, through the Standing Group, plans for the defence of the Canada-United States region. It meets alternately in Washington and Ottawa.

OTHER NATO MILITARY AGENCIES

NATO DEFENCE COLLEGE

The NATO Defence College, which was set up following a suggestion by General Eisenhower, was inaugurated on November 19, 1951, and is housed in the Ecole Militaire in Paris. The College provides special training before assignment to NATO for high-ranking officers from the Army, Navy and Airforce and for senior civilian officials from member countries. The Commandant of the NATO Defence College is at present Lieutenant General Duilio Fanali (Italy).

There are two terms a year, each consisting of between 50 and 60 senior officers and civilian officials. The study course lasts for approximately 23 weeks and, after 24 terms, a total of more than 1,300 officers and civilian officials (including one woman) have completed their studies at the College.

Military Agency for Standardization

This body was set up in London early in 1951 as a subsidiary agency of the Standing Group, from which it receives guidance and direction. Its purpose is to facilitate military standardization, both procedural and material, among member nations, and to promulgate standardization agreements. With regard to defence equipment, the agency makes use of the work of international technical expert groups. Liaison is provided by the Production, Logistics and Infrastructure Division of the International Staff.

Communications Agencies

Established in Paris:

The Allied Military Communications-Electronics Committee (AMCEC) and the Allied Naval Communications Agency (ANCA). Both deal with signals matters pertaining to the defence of the NATO area. The Allied Long Lines Agency (alla) studies and establishes policy on all matters relating to use of NATO long line telecommunications facilities within the NATO area. The Allied Communications Security Agency (ACSA) deals with and advises on all matters relating to communications security.

Established in London:

The Allied Radio Frequency Agency (ARFA) collects all available information on radio frequencies and prepares plans for allocation and assignment of frequencies.

Advisory Group for Aerospace, Research and Development (AGARD)

This Group, created in January 1952 and set up in Paris, advises on the most efficient use in the common interest of the research facilities, the installations and the personnel of the NATO countries.