Neptune Strike 23-2 (NEST 23-2) is a NATO enhanced Vigilance Activity which puts high end maritime strike forces, such as in this case, USS Gerald R. Ford and ITS Giuseppe Garibalidi carrier strike groups, under STRIKFORNATO command. This services the requirements of NATO’s Supreme Commander Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) and his Joint Task Force Commanders, thereby improving the Alliance's interoperability and readiness. NEST 23-2 integrated activities span multiple domains and geographic regions from the Baltic to the Eastern Mediterranean.

The ‘Project Neptune’ series of activities is a three-pronged effort to “turbo-charge” the pace and flexibility of command and control of NATO’s high end maritime strike forces. It provides increased flexibility and capability to the Alliance and demonstrates the power of interchangeability from within all members of the Alliance.

NEST 23-2 is a means to continually strengthen the individual and collective defense and deterrence capabilities through interoperability of NATO units. The activities to be undertaken, demonstrate NATO readiness to respond to increasingly complex security challenges and showcase the high-end maritime strike capability of NATO.

The Neptune Series of activities continue to demonstrate the Alliance’s permanent commitment to ensure the stability, security and safety of its territory both now and in the future.