After 33 years of magnificent service within the Royal Dutch Navy, Commander Douglas joined STRIKFORNATO’s Integrated Air and Missile Defense Branch. During the past 4 years, he distinguished himself while serving as the Ballistic Missile Defense and Integrated Air and Missile Defense (BMD/IAMD) technical expert, while being the lead IAMD planner for multiple large-scale exercises.
It is evident that his missile defense expertise has been perfected throughout his 37-year career in the Royal Dutch Navy. Before joining the STRIKFORNATO team, he served as the Ballistic Missile Defense Subject Matter Expert for the Dutch Ministry of Defense and as the Integrated Air & Missile Defense Bureau Chief.
CDR Douglas was instrumental in the execution of various exercises to include STEADFAST ARMOUR, JOINT PROJECT OPTIC WINDMILL, and FORMIDABLE SHIELD, which demonstrated the significance of the NATO maritime contribution to the defense of the Alliance. He often took the lead role during exercises and coordinated numerous US-NATO equities, resulting in successful execution of both cruise missile and ballistic missile exercise events.
As said by Lieutenant Colonel McAlarnen, Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff of the Division Cdr. Douglas worked in, “CDR Fred Douglas has played a key role in advancing NATO’s posture and air-maritime interoperability in the Ballistic Missile Defense and Integrated Air Missile and Defense environment through his work at STRIKFORNATO. In particular, his leadership in developing Exercise Formidable Shield 2021 and 2023 have allowed NATO to clearly demonstrate the technical capabilities and preparedness to defend its member states. We will miss his contributions to the team but look forward to seeing him enjoy this next chapter of his life.”
Additionally, he was vital in planning and organizing the annual Missile Defense Tabletop Exercises (TTX) in collaboration with other NATO commands. His vision and leadership transformed the event from a Maritime Focused Ballistic Missile Defense event to an Alliance-wide Integrated Air and Missile Defense event.
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STRIKFORNATO thanks Commander Fred Douglas for his extraordinary contribution to our mission whilst serving as BMD/IAMD Branch Head and wishes him “fair winds and following seas”!