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NATO's Neptune Strike 25-4 Concludes

NATO Allied Joint Force Command (JFC) Naples

Nov 28 2025

NAPLES, Italy -- NATO has concluded the 2025 series of NATO's premier enhanced Vigilance Activity, with the final iteration of Neptune Strike 25-4, being conducted across the Mediterranean Sea and through NATO's Eastern and South-Eastern flank.

This iteration saw nine allied nations, two carrier strike groups, and over thirty 4th and 5th generation aircraft continue NATO's multi-domain and inter-operability capabilities, reinforcing the freedom of movement across the Alliance's Southern and South-Eastern flank and maintaining territorial integrity.

The activity integrated advanced maritime strike capabilities from both Italian and United Kingdom Carrier Strike Groups, long-range surveillance assets, and joint air and maritime operations, all operating seamlessly under NATO authority. Supporting the two participating carrier strike groups was NATO's Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Force (NISRF) from Sigonella, Italy.

U.S. Air Force Brigadier General John B. Creel, Commander of the NATO ISR Force, highlighted the importance of NISRF's role by saying, "Neptune Strike 25-4 once again demonstrated how essential strategic ISR is to NATO's multi-domain readiness. By integrating the RQ-4D Phoenix drones into one of NATO's most demanding activities, we reinforced the Alliance's ability to act decisively and cohesively when it matters most."

"As a defensive Alliance, NATO has to be ready if the safety and security of its 32 nations' one billion inhabitants is threatened" said U.S. Air Force General Alexus G. Grynkewich, Supreme Allied Commander Europe. "That is why activities that improve NATO's warfighting readiness like this year's Neptune Strike events, including its most recent evolution that I witnessed first-hand in the Mediterranean Sea aboard the HMS Prince of Wales, are so important."

Collectively, the 2025 Neptune Strike series has featured participation from a broad range of Allies, with operational contributions including maritime strike aircraft, naval vessels, air refueling tankers, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance platforms. NATO forces conducted combined training missions to enhance domain integration, improve command-and-control processes, and ensure that Allied forces remain ready to defend every inch of Allied territory.

"Striking and Support Forces NATO remains focused on maintaining our readiness to defend the Alliance, and our ability to deliver high-end warfighting capability, which are the fundamental principles of Neptune Strike," said Vice Adm. J.T. Anderson, commander of STRIKFORNATO. "In this iteration, the fifth-generation capabilities of the F-35s from the U.K. and Italian carrier strike groups, working in concert with NATO RQ-4 unmanned aircraft, F-16s from Greece and Romania, and several other advanced capabilities from across the Alliance demonstrate our commitment to defend every inch of Allied lands, seas, and airspace."

Story by JFC Naples Public Affairs Office