Permanent Joint Headquarters

The Permanent Joint Headquarters (PJHQ) is the British tri-service headquarters from where all overseas military operations are planned and controlled. It is situated at Northwood Headquarters in Northwood, London.

The Permanent Joint Headquarters is commanded by the Chief of Joint Operations (CJO). The current CJO is Lieutenant General David Capewell who succeeded Air Marshal Sir Stuart Peach. On 15 September 2011 it was announced that Air Marshal Peach would be promoted to Air Chief Marshal in December 2011 and become the first commander of the new UK Joint Forces Command to which PJHQ will become accountable.

The Permanent Joint Headquarters was established in April 1996 to enhance the operational effectiveness and efficiency of UK-led joint, potentially joint and multi-national operations, and to exercise operational command of UK forces assigned to multinational operations led by others.

Mission and duties
The PJHQ’s mission is as follows:


 * As part of the Defence Crisis Management Organisation, provide politically aware military advice to the MOD to inform the strategic commitment of UK forces to overseas Joint and Combined operations.
 * When directed by the Chief of the Defence Staff, exercise operational command of UK forces assigned to overseas Joint and Combined operations, either led by the UK or another nation, such as Operation Telic, in order to achieve MOD UK’s strategic objectives.
 * In conjunction with the Front Line Commands and MOD, develop the UK’s Joint war-fighting capability.

PJHQ also directs British forces in Gibraltar, Cyprus (Sovereign Base Areas), the Falkland Islands (British Forces South Atlantic Islands) and Diego Garcia.

There are certain areas that the headquarters was not and will not be involved in:
 * Strategic Nuclear Deterrent (submarines commanded through Fleet Commander)
 * Defence of the UK Home Base, Territorial Waters and Airspace
 * Northern Ireland (HQ Northern Ireland until disestablishment)
 * Counter-terrorism in UK (Home Office)
 * NATO Article V (General War) (NATO command structure)

Commanders
The Chief of Joint Operations (CJO) is the appointment held by the 3*-ranked Officer that headed the PJHQ. The CJO is responsible for the planning and execution of UK-led joint, potentially joint, combined and multi-national operations.