Allied Maritime Command (MC) Naples is one of the subordinate Commands of Allied Joint Force Command Naples. The Maritime Commander (COM MC) Naples usually controls two of NATO’s maritime Immediate Reaction Forces; the Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 (SNMG2) and the Standing NATO MCM Group 2 (SNMCMG2). In addition, he coordinates and develops the continuous maritime surveillance picture, primarily within the Mediterranean and Black Sea areas. Furthermore, two former NATO Commands, classified as "Special Entities" are responsible to COM MC Naples for the conduct of maritime air and submarine operations: Commander Maritime Air Naples (COMARAIRNAPLES) and Commander Submarines Allied Naval Forces South (COMSUBSOUTH).

 COM MC Naples is responsible for the oversight, planning, coordination and execution of the full spectrum of Maritime-related tasks – from humanitarian and disaster relief to resource protection to maritime security to war-fighting. To do so HQ MC Naples provides the Alliance with an agile, maritime command headquarters able to execute concurrent missions and direct forces assigned at strategic distances from Naples, whilst also promoting and articulating the maritime case, when and wherever required. Amongst his remit, COM MC Naples is the Commander of Operation Active Endeavour, the NATO anti-terrorism operation conducted in the Mediterranean Sea since 2001.
The Headquarters, inaugurated on 1 July 2004 as Maritime Component Command Naples, replaced the Headquarters Allied Naval Forces Southern Europe (HQ NAVSOUTH) which was established as a separate headquarters on June 5, 1967, upon dissolution of Headquarters Allied Forces Mediterranean, a major NATO Subordinate Command. MC Naples assumed its current denomination on 1 March 2010, as part of a modified command structure for Allied Command Operations. It is situated on the Island of Nisida, Naples, Italy. COM MC NAPLES is an Italian three-star Admiral with an international staff provided by Albania, Bulgaria, Canada, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States. Israel is represented by a liaison officer.
From July 1992 to October 1996, COMNAVSOUTH commanded the joint Western European Union (WEU)/NATO maritime operation known as Sharp Guard in support of United Nations Resolutions regarding the former Yugoslavia. COM MC NAPLES continue to provide maritime forces in support of NATO operations in the Balkans.
On 24 October 2008 Mar-Com Naples started the Operation Allied Provider, the NATO Maritime contribution against piracy off Somali coast in support to World Food Program chartered vessels. The operation was conducted in response to the request by the United Nations Secretary General and in support of UN Security Council resolutions 1814,1816 and 1838. Operation Allied Provider was terminated on 12 December 2008, after the EU Operation Atalanta - which was launched with similar aims - had been declared operational.

As of Mar. 23, 11 NATO warships and aircraft are patrolling the approaches to Libyan territorial waters as part of Operation UNIFIED PROTECTOR. Their mission is to reduce the flow of arms, related material and mercenaries to Libya, as called for in UN Security Council Resolution 1973.

This is part of NATO's contribution to the broad international effort to help protect civilians and civilian-populated areas in Libya under threat of attack.

The overall operation is commanded by Lieutenant General Charles Bouchard, Canadian Forces. The Maritime Arms Embargo is under the command of Vice Admiral Rinaldo Veri from NATO Maritime Command Naples. Political oversight of the operation is provided by the North Atlantic Council.

Mission and Key Tasks

As an advocate of maritime domain, the mission assigned to COM MC NAPLES is to plan, conduct and support the full range of military operations anywhere in the world in order to deter aggression, contribute to effective crisis management and promote peace, security and stability.

Key Tasks include:

• ensuring proper, continuous, situational awareness and assessment of designated areas of interest and responsibility;
• ensuring contribution to the preservation of peace, security and territorial integrity of Alliance member states and their worldwide interests;
• preparing to plan and execute, or provide support for, new missions;
• ensuring the operational readiness of forces assigned is sustained;
• contributing to the development, conduct and evaluation of exercises to train allied and partner HQs and forces in NATO procedures;
• strengthening partnerships with nations, in particular through the Partnership for Peace initiative, the Mediterranean Dialogue and the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative;
• contributing to the development of future NATO maritime policy, concept and doctrine;
• supporting, from a maritime perspective, transformation and policy developments within NATO – in this acting as one of two principal Allied Command Operations’ advisers.  
• supporting the integration of new NATO members.