Our last day and a most interesting one. We checked out of our hotel at 0745 and then had a police escort to NATO Joint Force Command (JFC). This is one of three JFCs in NATO, the other two located in Norfolk, Virginia, and Brunssum in the Netherlands. JFC Naples is commanded by an American, Admiral Stuart Munsch. He directs a combined NATO staff responsible for planning, preparing and conducting military operations throughout the Supreme Allied Commander Europe's area of responsibility. We met the Admiral for about 45 minutes during lunch, after which we had to drive back to Rome to catch our flight home. What we learnt here was classified secret so I sadly cannot reveal what was said. But I can say that we first visited a large underground Ops Room, where we were briefed on what was going on in the Region that JFC Naples is responsible for. It was fascinating and, I have to say, concerning. Then upstairs to a large briefing room to meet the senior British officer Major General John Mead, Deputy Chief of Staff Plans. The Ambassador, who had generously driven all the way from Rome, joined us. We then had a good 90 minutes talking about the many concerns around his huge area of responsibility. As I've said, it was then lunch with the Admiral, before we had to head back to Rome. The morning session was a real eye-opener and it only reinforced my own perspective that the West needs to wake up to threats it faces, and fast. The journey back to Rome and the flight home were both uneventful and we headed back to our respective homes having learnt an awful lot. I am extremely grateful to our wonderful staff, who had organised our trip, and all those who generously gave us their valuable time in both Rome and Naples, not least the Ambassador, who could not have done more to accommodate us. I hope I am allowed to say that our Embassy in Rome is in exceptionally capable hands. A memorable Defence Committee visit.