NATO stages major Atlantic drill as U.S. pressure on alliance grows

A Norwegian boarding team moved toward a simulated cargo vessel off North Carolina as NATO and U.S. warships carried out FLEETEX 250, a transatlantic drill timed to the United States’ 250th anniversary. The exercise put allied sailors and ships from 17 allied and partner nations into a crowded Atlantic training area, with the Norwegian frigate HNoMS Fridtjof Nansen among the vessels on scene.

Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 integrated with allied and partner forces during FLEETEX 250 off the U.S. East Coast, and the multinational exercise began for the first time in the Norfolk area and in the Atlantic Ocean. Boarding operations, communications checks and maritime coordination were central to the drill, with crews working in a congested environment where unrelated radio traffic from other vessels can interfere with command and control.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth used NATO headquarters in Brussels on June 18 to announce a six-month review of U.S. forces and bases in Europe, said that “NATO 2.0” was over and complained that some allies had denied the United States basing and overflight access during the Iran war. The White House was pressing Britain, Spain, Germany and France to do more in support of U.S. operations, while NATO officials tried to reassure members about transatlantic cooperation.

Standing Naval Forces provide a continuous, credible and agile maritime capability under NATO operational control. NATO’s Shipping Centre is the primary point of contact between military authorities and the international shipping community, and NATO maritime operations maintain situational awareness, uphold freedom of navigation, secure maritime routes and protect lines of communication.

NATO’s maritime command, based in Northwood, United Kingdom, oversees all NATO maritime forces and serves as the principal maritime adviser to the alliance. The ships off North Carolina were still training to board, communicate and move together.