NATO and US Sixth Fleet conclude exercise Neptune Strike 2022.

According to information published by NATO on February 7, 2022, Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO (STRIKFORNATO) and U.S. Sixth Fleet (SIXTHFLT) concluded the NATO-led activity Neptune Strike 2022.
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Ships from Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group 8, the Italian Navy Cavour CSG, and the Blue Ridge-class command and control ship USS Mount Whitney transit the Adriatic Sea (Picture source: NATO)

The vigilance activity kicked off Jan. 24 from the Adriatic Sea, involving missions at sea and in the air across most of Europe, supporting both Allied Joint Force Command Naples and Brunssum. The nearly 2-week activity demonstrated NATO's ability to integrate the high-end maritime warfare capabilities of a carrier strike group to support the defense of the Alliance.

The Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe coordinated the activity, integrating NATO Allied Maritime Command and NATO Allied Air Command, while STRIKFORNATO executed command and control of Neptune Strike 22 from USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20), the SIXTHFLT and Commander STRIKFORNATO's flagship.

STRIKFORNATO led a maritime force composed of two carriers, 15 ships, and approximately 90 aircraft, including forces from the Harry S. Truman CSG, the Italian Navy CAVOUR CSG, Standing NATO Maritime Group 2, and Mine Counter Measure Group 2. Overall, forces and personnel from 28 NATO countries participated in Neptune Strike.

USS Mount Whitney (LCC/JCC 20) is one of two Blue Ridge-class amphibious command ships of the United States Navy and is the flagship and command ship of the United States Sixth Fleet.

The Blue Ridge class is the first and only class of amphibious command and control ships to be specifically designed as such from the keel up. Two 20 mm Phalanx CIWS systems were added in the 1980s for point defense. In recent years they have also carried 25 mm Bushmaster cannons.