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NATO Concludes Second Iteration of Neptune Strike 2025

NATO Allied Joint Force Command (JFC) Naples

Aug 4 2025

On Friday, August 1, 2025, the second iteration of NATO's most complex enhanced Vigilance Activity Neptune Strike concluded after eleven days of complex activities across multiple warfare domains. The activities demonstrated the Alliance's capability to conduct high-end joint maritime strike capabilities, across the central Mediterranean to the Baltic Sea regions.

Neptune Strike 25-2 was divided into two phases with the first phase conducted in late June with main contributions from the Spanish Expeditionary Combat Group. Under NATO command and led by the Spanish Navy's flagship, the multi-purpose amphibious assault ship Juan Carlos I, was accompanied by the Spanish supporting vessels Blas de Lezo, Galicia and Cantabria. The second phase included the U.S. Navy's Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group (GRF CSG). The USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) is the world's largest and most advanced aircraft carrier and is equipped with first-in-class leading technologies such as advanced aircraft arresting gear and electromagnetic catapult launch system.

The force composition for this Neptune Strike iteration was comprised of various aviation, maritime, and ground units from Croatia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Romania, Spain, Slovakia, the United Kingdom and the United States.

"The successful conduct of long-range strike missions starting in the Southern Adriatic Sea over a distance of about 2,000 km up to ranges in the far North of the Alliance territory, demonstrate NATO's ability to defend against any potential adversaries from any directions," said JFC Naples' Spanish Navy Rear Adm. Isidro Carrara while onboard the Gerald R. Ford. "The recurring Neptune Strike series is the perfect example of how multiple NATO states contribute to their common goals: The freedom of navigation and maneuver in international sea and air space, and the increase of the Alliance's vigilance."

Exhibiting a deter and defend posture, the enhanced vigilance activities facilitated during Neptune Strike also reaffirmed NATO's presence in the Black Sea region. This was possible through deliberate flight operations conducted in international airspace and in accordance with international laws in order to uphold the freedom of navigation and maneuver in the region.

Throughout Neptune Strike 25-2, participating units were able to test and improve their capabilities and skills in the area such as long-range strikes, anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare, offensive and defensive air operations, as well as search and rescue operations.

"This enhanced Vigilance Activity sent a clear message: we are ready, united, and committed to defending every inch of allied territory," said Vice Adm. J.T. Anderson, commander of Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO, which serves as the command and control cell for Neptune Strike.

Story by JFC Naples Public Affairs Office