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A decade of NATO in Sigonella - NISRF celebrates 10th anniversary

NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

Sep 12 2025

SIGONELLA, Italy -- The NATO Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Force (NISRF) celebrated its 10th anniversary during a ceremony held at Italian Air Force Base Sigonella. The event marked a decade of growth and transformation - from the establishment of the NATO Alliance Ground Surveillance Force in September 2015 to today's permanent multinational ISR Force.

In his speech, Brigadier General John B. Creel, Commander of NISRF, highlighted the significance of the occasion.
"What started as an ambitious program ten years ago has become a permanent NATO Force," he said. "NISRF delivers intelligence for the Alliance every single day, thanks to the dedication of our multinational team and the steadfast support of our Host Nation, Italy."

The Force was originally activated in October 2015 as the NATO Alliance Ground Surveillance Force (NAGSF). In November 2019, the first NATO RQ-4D Phoenix aircraft arrived in Sigonella, followed by the Initial Operational Capability (IOC) in 2021. In September 2023, the unit transitioned into the NATO ISR Force, expanding its mission and becoming a permanent element of NATO's force structure.

In recent years, NISRF has demonstrated its growing flexibility. Earlier in 2025, the Force successfully conducted sustained operations from a forward operating location in Finland - the first time a NATO Phoenix was deployed for weeks outside of Sigonella.

The ceremony also included reflections from NISRF members who have served since the very beginning. Their personal accounts highlighted the challenges and achievements of the early years in Sigonella.

Floriana B., Deputy Legal Advisor and NATO International Civilian (NIC), one of the first members of the Force, recalled those days:
 "When I first joined the Force in 2016, we were probably less than 100 people - a small team with big dreams! We started with literally nothing. Everything you see today was nothing more than a vision."

Today, NISRF brings together men and women from across the Alliance: analyst, operators, maintainers, and flight crews working side by side. From Sicily, they provide timely intelligence to NATO commanders, enhancing situational awareness and supporting decision-making across the Alliance.

The anniversary ceremony was both a moment of reflection and of looking ahead. "Ten years in Sigonella are only the beginning," Brigadier General Creel emphasized. "NISRF will continue to adapt, innovate, and deliver for NATO - today and tomorrow."

Story by NISRF Public Affairs Office