Allied Forces Mediterranean

Allied Forces Mediterranean was a NATO command covering all military operations in the Mediterranean Sea from 1952 to 1967. The command was based at Malta.

History
The command was established in 1952. The British post of Commander in Chief Mediterranean Fleet was given a dual-hatted role as NATO Commander in Chief of Allied Forces Mediterranean in charge of all forces assigned to NATO in the Mediterranean Area. The British made strong representations within NATO in discussions regarding the development of the Mediterranean NATO command structure, wishing to retain their direction of NATO naval command in the Mediterranean to protect their sea lines of communication running through the Mediterranean to the Middle East and Far East. In 1967, the UK relinquished the NATO post of Commander in Chief Allied Forces Mediterranean, which was disbanded.

Commanders
Commanders included:
 * Admiral Sir John Edelsten (1952)
 * Admiral Earl Mountbatten of Burma (1952–1954)
 * Admiral Sir Guy Grantham (1954–1957)
 * Vice Admiral Sir Ralph Edwards (1957–1958)
 * Admiral Sir Charles Lambe (1958–1959)
 * Admiral Sir Alexander Bingley (1959–1961)
 * Admiral Sir Deric Holland-Martin (1961–1964)
 * Admiral Sir John Hamilton (1964–1967)