The U.S.-led strike fleet had a different role from British anti-submarine and amphibious carrier forces, even though the formations might fall under the same senior maritime command. A Royal Navy commodore could receive the force's destination orders from Strike Fleet Atlantic while a rear admiral controlled its escorts. The escort commander therefore carried responsibility for protection without necessarily choosing where the protected group went. This kind of national-to-NATO command tension could shape movement and risk even before contact with the enemy.
Notable Point · 52:34-54:21
When NATO escort and strike orders point in different directions
Cold War NATO command arrangements could leave an escort commander responsible for protecting a force whose destination was ordered by a different headquarters.