The centerpiece of NEST 22.2 is George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group (GHWBCSG), which arrived in the Mediterranean Sea in August during a planned deployment to the US Europe-Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) area of operations, is employed by the US Sixth Fleet to defend US, allied and partner interests. .
During NEST 22.2, SIXTHFLT will conduct a transfer of command (TOA) from GHWBCSG to STRIKFORNATO. While under the command and control of STRIKFORNATO, the CSG and other allied units will deliver effects in the Joint Allied Force Command (JFC) Naples and JFC Brunssum joint operational areas (JOA), demonstrating Alliance cohesion and the ability to operate simultaneously in European waters.
Allied and member nations scheduled to participate in NEST 22.2 include: Albania, Canada, Croatia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Turkey, United Kingdom and United States of America.
NEST 22.2 is the eighth phase of NATO’s long-anticipated Project Neptune series, building on previous phases of the project, including Neptune Challenge in October and November 2021, Neptune Strike in January and February 2022, and Neptune Shield in May 2022. As in the previous phases. Project Neptune’s NEST 22.2 brings together NATO commands across the Alliance to plan and execute real-world, multi-domain surveillance activities.
“The Neptune series is a tangible demonstration of the power and capability of the NATO Alliance in all domain operations,” said Vice Admiral Thomas Ishee, commander of SIXTHFLT and STRIKFORNATO. “Neptune Strike 22.2 is an excellent example of NATO’s ability to integrate the superior naval warfare capabilities of an Allied carrier strike group, ensuring our collective ability to deter and defend.”
Within the framework of Deterrence and Defense of the Euro-Atlantic Area (DDA), this surveillance activity will enhance interoperability between CSG allies, STRIKFORNATO, Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) and the Alliance and partners.
“The Neptune Series series of peacetime surveillance activities, integrating carrier attack and amphibious assault capability into NATO operations, has become routine work for this warfighter – creating sea, air and land effects, providing deterrence and reassurance, and providing powerful opportunities. Allied interoperability,” said said STRIKFORNATO Deputy Commander Rear Adm. James Morley of the Royal Navy. “I am delighted to bring this outstanding group of professionals back together and demonstrate the strength and cohesion of the NATO alliance.”
Surveillance activities are baseline or routine day-to-day activities that occur in all domains and in SACEUR’s area of responsibility to ensure adequate strategic awareness and force readiness necessary for peacekeeping.
During the June deployment, STRIKFORNATO participated as NATO headquarters in a GHWBCSG Composite Unit Training Exercise (COMPTUEX), practicing command and control from Oeiras to the US East Coast strike group, marking STRIKFORNATO’s third vignette during training and certification with allied forces. the events
The rapid integration of GHWBCSG into NATO planning and exercises early in the deployment demonstrates the value these vignettes bring to US carrier strike groups preparing to deploy, as well as their ability to effectively collaborate and integrate NATO allies.
“GHWBCSG has worked closely with STRIKFORNATO and NATO Alliance members since pre-deployment training events,” said Dennis Velez, GHWBCSG commander. “We look forward to continuing to strengthen our relations, even training with our allies. The teamwork, confidence and readiness to fight built through these events are our competitive advantage.’
STRIKFORNATO, headquartered in Oeiras, Portugal, is the Supreme Allied Commander Europe’s (SACEUR) first, rapidly deployable and flexible, naval power projection headquarters capable of planning and executing full-spectrum joint naval operations.
Headquartered in Naples, Italy, NAVEUR-NAVAF serves US naval forces in the US European Command (USEUCOM) and US Africa Command (USAFRICOM) areas of responsibility. SIXTHFLT is permanently assigned to NAVEUR-NAVAF, and employs naval forces jointly and across the spectrum of naval operations.
