NATO’s allied maneuvers “Neptune Strike 2024-2” (NEST 24-2), organized as part of the Enhanced Vigilance Activities program, took place from October 24-31. The exercises covered joint operational areas across Europe, where maneuvers were conducted to integrate naval forces and effectively control tactical groupings.[1]

Neptune Strike 24-2 is a NATO alliance-conducted series of exercises whose key task is to enhance operational capabilities in response to potential crises.[2] The exercises focus on maintaining freedom of navigation and maneuvering in the NATO area of operations, protecting strategic maritime critical points, and conducting deterrence and surveillance operations.[3]

The NEST 24-2 maneuvers were planned and coordinated by NATO’s Naval Striking and Support Forces (STRIKFORNATO), and involved 20 surface and submarine ships, special forces and air forces. A total of about 15,000 troops and support personnel participated in the exercise.[4] Participating units operated in the central Mediterranean and Adriatic Seas, as well as in the North and Baltic Seas. In addition to naval force operations, air operations in Central Europe and air-to-ground operations in the Baltic Sea region were also organized.[5]

The NATO Standing Maritime Group 2 (SNMG2) participated in the Neptune Strike 24-2 maneuvers, in the Mediterranean. SNMG2 included ships from Spain (ESPS Cristóbal Colón and ESPS Cantabria), Greece (HS Aegean) and Canada (HMCS Charlottetown). In the words of SNMG2 commander, Commodore Matthew Coates of the Royal Canadian Navy, “the successful cooperation between SNMG2 and the navies of our allies exemplifies our readiness to respond jointly to changing challenges.”[6]

In addition to the SNMG2 group, significant participation in the exercise belonged to the strike groups, specifically the USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group and the British HMS Prince of Wales and escorts. The USS Wasp (LHD-1), USS Oak Hill (LSD-51), Turkish TCG Anadolu and Italian aircraft carrier ITS Cavour also participated.[7]

Neptune Strike 24-2 is the second NATO exercise organized under the same code name this year. Significantly, the maneuvers were planned and conducted in accordance with international law, regardless of current events in the Middle East, and did not target any third party.[8]

Tekst powstał w ramach realizacji zadania publicznego zleconego w ramach Rządowego Programu Rozwoju Organizacji Obywatelskich na lata 2018–2030 r. „Bezpieczna Polska jutra – rozwój działań misyjnych Alioth Foundation”.

Bibliography:

[1] R. Kamiński, Gospodarkamorska.pl „NATO rozpoczyna ćwiczenia morskie pk. Neptune Strike 2024-2” [online].

[2] Allied Maritime Command „NATO ships demonstrate readiness by collaborating with multiple Allied navies during Neptune Strike 24-2” [online].

[3] Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO „NATO Begins NEPTUNE STRIKE 2024-2” [online].

[4] A. Bęben, Portalobronny.se.pl „Neptune Strike 24-2. Manewry wzmacniające strategie odstraszania

i obrony” [online].

[5] Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO „NATO Begins NEPTUNE STRIKE 2024-2” [online].

[6] NATO ships demonstrate readiness by collaborating with multiple Allied navies during Neptune Strike 24-2 [online].

[7] R. Kamiński, Gospodarkamorska.pl „NATO rozpoczyna ćwiczenia morskie pk. Neptune Strike 2024-2” [online].

[8] Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO „NATO Begins NEPTUNE STRIKE 2024-2” [online].