Admiral Sir Keith Edward Blount KCB OBE was appointed as NATO’s Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe (DSACEUR) in July 2023. He is based in the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) in Mons, Belgium.

He joined the Royal Navy in 1984 and qualified as a helicopter pilot and instructor before commanding three warships, including the helicopter carrier HMS OCEAN. His staff appointments have included three periods in the Ministry of Defence. As a Rear Admiral he was the head of aviation in the Royal Navy and was accountable for the build and introduction to service of the Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers.

Blount has extensive senior international command experience in the Middle East, the European Union and as NATO’s Maritime Commander.

He has a Master of Arts in Defence Studies and an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Plymouth. He has also received a number of national awards including an operational Legion of Merit from the President of the United States. He was Knighted in 2023.

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