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Armed Forces: Joint Forces Command

My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Defence (Liam Fox) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement. The creation of a Joint Forces Command (JFC) was recommended by Lord Levene in his defence reform report as part of the radical reform of the department that I announced on 27 June 2011 (Official Report, cols. 634-36). I welcomed that recommendation and directed that it should be put in to effect as soon as possible. The new organisation will bring together and deliver joint enabling capabilities to ensure their appropriate prioritisation and deliver synergies between them. I am announcing today the appointment of Air Marshal Sir Stuart Peach, currently the Chief of Joint Operations and a previous Chief of Defence Intelligence, as the first Commander JFC. His exceptionally strong joint credentials make him the ideal selection for the post, which he will take up in December 2011 on promotion to Air Chief Marshal. Air Marshal Peach’s appointment is an important milestone in preparing JFC for initial operating capability in April 2012. It will achieve its full operating capability a year later.