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RAMSTEIN, Germany – Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO (STRIKFORNATO) and United States Sixth Fleet (SIXTHFLT) are leading a NATO vigilance activity named Neptune Shield 2022 (NESH22) which combines Air, Land and Sea capabilities as a cohesive force on May 17.

U.S. Navy F-18s flying from the Harry S. Truman in the Mediterranean Sea and U.S. Marine Corps Harrier fighter jets and MV-22 Ospreys from the Kearsarge Amphibious Readiness Group in the Baltic Sea will train with Allied land and Air forces across Europe. NESH22 furthers NATO's ability to defend the Alliance, by using joint activities to train Allied Forces in a range of Allied Air, Land and Maritime operations.

Neptune Shield is a great opportunity to concurrently integrate a U.S. carrier strike group and an amphibious ready group/marine expeditionary unit into Alliance operations

"Neptune Shield is a great opportunity to concurrently integrate a U.S. Carrier Strike Group and an amphibious ready group/marine expeditionary unit into Alliance operations," said, Rear Adm. James Morley, deputy commander, STRIKFORNATO. "This removes artificial seams between the maritime, air and land domains, and exposes tactical operators to the power of the multinational network training as we would fight-as a simple team."

U.S. Marine Corps Harriers are flying missions from the Kearsarge Amphibious Readiness Group in the Baltic sea in support of Neptune Shield 2022.Photo courtesy of U.S. Marine Corps. 

Allied refueling aircraft accomplish the critical enablement missions to refuel aircraft while airborne. Archive photo: Armee de l'air et de l'espace

U.S. Marines MV-22 Osprey's train with Allied land and Air forces across the Europe. Archive photo: US Navy

During Neptune Shield 22, NATO will integrate the high-end maritime strike capabilities of a U.S. Carrier Strike Group into the constant vigilance activities that provide security and regional stability. Allied fighter aircraft are integrating with land forces to provide Close Air Support coordinated by Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTACs). JTACs are an important link between ground units and supporting air assets, enabling Close Air Support missions to support joint objectives. While Allied refueling aircraft are accomplishing the critical enablement missions to refuel aircraft while airborne.