Headquarters Allied Forces Southern Europe RCF.

Headquarters Allied Forces Southern Europe (AFSOUTH) was established in 1951 as a major NATO command responsible for the defense of Southern Europe, with its headquarters in Naples, Italy. As part of NATO's integrated military structure, AFSOUTH oversaw land, air, and naval forces from member nations in the Mediterranean region, coordinating joint operations and exercises to deter and respond to potential threats during the Cold War. The unit played a crucial role in regional stability, crisis management, and partnership-building, especially during the Balkan conflicts of the 1990s. In 2004, AFSOUTH was restructured and redesignated as Allied Joint Force Command Naples, reflecting changes in NATO’s strategic focus and command organization.