ALLIED FORCES SOUTHERN EUROPE NAPLES ITALY

• Establishment: Allied Forces Southern Europe (AFSOUTH) was activated on 19 June 1951 in Naples, Italy, as a principal NATO headquarters tasked with defending Southern Europe during the Cold War. • First Commander: The first Supreme Allied Commander Southern Europe was U.S. Navy Admiral Robert B. Carney, setting a tradition of American leadership at AFSOUTH. • Geographic Scope: AFSOUTH was responsible for NATO operations covering Italy, Greece, Turkey, and the Mediterranean Sea, making it one of the largest operational areas in NATO. • Cold War Frontline: During the Cold War, AFSOUTH played a key defense role against potential Warsaw Pact incursions through the Balkans and Mediterranean, coordinating multinational land, air, and naval forces. • Multinational Staff: AFSOUTH featured a truly multinational staff, including personnel from the United States, Italy, Greece, Turkey, and other NATO nations, fostering close cooperation and interoperability. • Operation Allied Force: AFSOUTH directed NATO’s 1999 air campaign—Operation Allied Force—against Yugoslavia, marking the first major combat operation directed by NATO. • Historic Headquarters: The AFSOUTH headquarters was located in the Bagnoli district of Naples, in a facility that previously served as a German military hospital during World War II. • Reorganization: In 2004, AFSOUTH was reorganized and renamed Allied Joint Force Command Naples, reflecting NATO's shift to a more flexible, deployable structure. • Peacekeeping Missions: AFSOUTH was instrumental in managing NATO’s peacekeeping operations in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, and the Mediterranean following the end of the Cold War. • Community Ties: Over decades, AFSOUTH personnel and their families became an integral part of Naples' international community, contributing to local charities, schools, and cultural exchanges.