Northwood Headquarters

Northwood Headquarters stands on the grounds of Eastbury Park in Eastbury, Hertfordshire, just north of London. The estate once housed a grand house that became an RAF Coastal Command centre in 1938, complete with underground bunkers. After the Second World War the site grew into a major naval and NATO command post. In 1960 the Commander-in-Chief Home Fleet moved from Portsmouth to Northwood. By 1982 the headquarters controlled Operation Corporate, the British campaign during the Falklands War. The site now hosts several high-level military commands. The Permanent Joint Headquarters directs joint operations worldwide. The NATO Allied Maritime Command co-ordinates allied naval forces across the Eastern Atlantic. Cyber & Specialist Operations Command manages joint cyber and specialist units. Commander Operations oversees the Royal Navy’s attack and nuclear missile submarines. Maritime Reservists operate from HMS Wildfire on the same campus. Visitors see a mix of modern and historic buildings set in parkland. The 2010 redevelopment added the main PJHQ building opened by Queen Elizabeth II. A new block for HMS Wildfire appeared in 2011. Military police guard the entrance while support staff handle logistics. The site remains a working headquarters, not open to the public.