MC Northwood Headquarters
Eastbury
Park, Northwood was the
home of Headquarters Coastal Command, Royal Air Force from 1939 to 1969
and is now the home of it successor, HQ 3 Group. In 1953 the NATO
Eastern Atlantic Command moved to Northwood, although the Commander in
Chief, who was also Home Fleet, continued to fly his flag in the depot
ship HMS TYNE. In 1960 the Home Fleet moved his headquarters to
Northwood and in 1966 the NATO Channel Command was transferred from
Portsmouth
to Northwood. In 1978 Flag Officer Submarines moved to Northwood from
HMS DOLPHIN with all his operational staff.
The base at Northwood therefore now accommodates the National Commands
of Fleet, the Permanent Joint Headquarters, Flag Officer Submarines and
3 Group, and the NATO Commands of Allied Maritime Component Command
Headquarters Northwood, Submarines Allied Forces North and Maritime Air
Allied Forces North. Joint Support Unit Northwood supports all of these
organisations. The Royal Naval Reserve unit HMS WILDFIRE is also based
close by at Brackenhill House.