In Baltic Sea Region, NATO-led Vigilance Activity NEPTUNE SHIELD 22 (NESH22) took place in the Baltic, Adriatic, Ionian and Mediterranean Seas. The activity involved missions at sea, in the air and on the ground across Europe, supporting both Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum (JFCBS) and Allied Joint Force Command Naples (JFCNP).
The two-week vigilance activity demonstrated NATO's ability to integrate the command and control of multiple carrier strike groups (CSGs), an Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and a Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), involving over 11,000 personnel from 25 NATO Allied and Partner nations.
The Project NEPTUNE series is instrumental in creating a stronger, integrated NATO force. NESH22 made significant gains in how Allies cooperate to solve dynamic problems, which will enhance NATO's capacity for real-world deterrence scenarios.
In Poland and eight other countries, between 16 and 27 May the DEFENDER EUROPE 22 (DE22) Live Fire Exercise was conducted on the territory of Poland and eight other countries with the participation of around 18,000 troops from 20 countries.
DE22 is a multinational, joint and combined exercise organized by the United States Armed Forces on a regular basis to build preparedness and interoperability between Allies and Partners of the U.S. and NATO. It is designed to enhance the security of NATO's Eastern Flank by training participants in accordance with NATO standards and procedures. During the exercise, troops were able to cooperate in joint combat operations and various training serials, including long-distance tactical marches and river crossings.
In the Netherlands, German General Jörg Vollmer handed command of the headquarters to his successor, Italian General Guglielmo Luigi Miglietta. In his departing speech, General Vollmer thanked all those who had placed their trust and confidence in him during his period as Commander JFCBS.
General Miglietta, the new Commander JFCBS, underlined the complexity of the challenges we face today and stated that the Alliance's will and determination to deter and defend our values is stronger than ever before.
In Sweden, Fourteen NATO Allies, two NATO Partner Nations, 45 ships, more than 75 aircraft, and approximately 7,000 personnel commenced the 51st iteration of Baltic Operations (BALTOPS 22) on 05 June.
BALTOPS 22 is the premier maritime-focused exercise in the Baltic Region. The annual exercise is led by U.S. Naval Forces Europe and U.S. Sixth Fleet, and is command and controlled by Striking and Support Forces NATO (STRIKFORNATO) in Oeiras, Portugal.
This year's exercise provides a unique opportunity to strengthen the combined response capabilities critical to preserving freedom of navigation at sea. It also demonstrates Alliance and Partner Nation abilities to conduct multi-domain warfare from the sea.
BALTOPS 22 coincides with the 500th anniversary of the Swedish Royal Navy, and the celebrations provided an impressive backdrop for the start of the Exercise.
In the Baltic States and Poland, thousands of NATO troops from Allies and Partners have come together to participate in Ramstein Legacy 22 (RALY22). Running from 6-10 June, RALY22 is Allied Air Command's principal Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD) exercise. The Exercise took place in Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, and included personnel from 17 Allied and Partner Nations.
Exercises like Ramstein Legacy 22 provide allied units the opportunity to practice NATO Tactics, Techniques and Procedures in a realistic multi-domain scenario. Ramstein Legacy 22 is a long-planned activity demonstrating the Alliance's ability to integrate Allied Surface-Based Air and Missile Defence (SBAMD) units under NATO Command and Control.