On Monday, January 24, Allied ships from the NATO Naval Striking and Support Forces Command and the U.S. Sixth Fleet initiated a series of patrolling activities across the Mediterranean Sea, within the framework of “Neptune Strike 2022”.
This is reported by Apostrophe with reference to the press service of the Alliance.
Neptune Strike naval exercises are a long-planned effort. They will be carried out until 4 February, featuring the deployment of the USS Harry S. Truman Carrier aircraft carrier, along with its carrier strike group and air wing.
Neptune Strike 2022 highlights NATO’s ability to integrate the high-end maritime capabilities of a carrier strike group to ensure high operational readiness across the Alliance and the defense and protection of all Allies. It is the first time since the Cold War that a full US carrier group comes under NATO command.
"The Neptune Challenge gave our headquarters an incredible opportunity to learn and grow together aboard our flagship Mount Whitney," said Rear Admiral James Morley, Deputy Commander of STRIKFORNATO.
The Pentagon assured that the exercises were planned to take place in 2020, so they are not a response to Russia's possible military invasion of Ukraine.
According to Vice-Admiral Gene Black, commander of the Sixth Fleet of the United States and STRIKFORNATO, "the exercises are designed to demonstrate the power and cohesion of our naval forces and the North Atlantic Alliance".
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed the move, calling it “a strong sign of transatlantic unity.” He added, “NATO will always do what is necessary to protect and defend all Allies.”
Earlier, “Apostrophe” reported that NATO, following the United States, will send the military to Eastern Europe due to the threat of invasion of Ukraine by Russia.