NATO launches new US command for ‘battle of the Atlantic’ citing China, Russia Sunday, 18 July 2021 1:55 AM [ Last Update: Sunday, 18 July 2021 1:55 AM ] The Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge transits the Atlantic Ocean April 23, 2021. (File photo) The US-led NATO military alliance has celebrated the official launch of Joint Force Command-Norfolk, the first such command to be located in the US, joining similar NATO commands in Brunssum, Netherlands and Naples, Italy. "It's the mission of this command to fight the battle of the Atlantic in the event of armed conflict," said Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley during a ceremony on board the USS Kearsarge warship. "Think about that. If you know your history, and you know World War II, you know how important that was."