The main objectives for NEST 24-2 are to maintain freedom of navigation and manoeuvre in NATO’s area of operations, to secure strategic maritime chokepoints, to conduct deterrence and vigilance, and to increase the interoperability in operational domains (e.g. air-land-integration), fostering NATO’s capabilities to enable wide-reaching multi-domain operations.
Participating units will operate from the central Mediterranean and Adriatic Sea up to the North and Baltic Seas, including air operations across central Europe to conduct air-to-ground actions in the Baltic Sea Region, also with NATO’s new member Sweden. Among others, the activities also include amphibious landings, counter-mine operations, explosive ordnance disposal and defence against drones.
NEST 24-2 is led by the Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO (STRIKFORNATO), located in Oeiras, Portugal, and will take place from 24-31 October 2024. It is a long planned activity conducted in compliance with international laws and standards, and scheduled independently from any current developments in the Middle East. It is defensive in nature and not directed towards any third party.
In the North Sea, NEST 24-2 activities will feature the USS Harry S Truman Carrier Strike Group, as well as the Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Prince Of Wales and her escorts.
In the Mediterranean, the STRIKFORNATO staff is embarked on the command and control ship USS Mount Whitney to demonstrate the ability to deploy a self-sufficient mobile command element anywhere, at any time. NEST 24-2 staff elements from STRIKFORNATO are embarked on the command and control ship USS Mount Whitney to demonstrate the ability to deploy a self-sufficient mobile command element anywhere, at any time. The multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Wasp, along with the dock landing ship USS Oak Hill, will carry an Amphibious Ready Group and the embarked 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The Turkish Navy will support with the amphibious assault ship TCG Anadolu and her embarked Marine Battalion, as well as her escorts. The Italian Navy will provide the aircraft carrier ITS Cavour and her escorts for parts of the activity.
In total, some 20 surface vessels and submarines, Special Forces and numerous aircraft participate in NEST 24-2 in different composition with some 15.000 supporting personnel.
The Neptune Strike series is part of Project Neptune, conceptualized in 2020. It aims to enhance the pace and flexibility of command and control of naval strike and amphibious forces. It provides the blueprint for integrating multinational strike or maritime groups for contingency and defensive operations even over long distances.