“NEPTUNE STRIKE 24”: Four Allied aircraft carriers and the Turkish “Anadolu” in the Aegean

* His Kostas Sarikas

An unprecedented Allied aeronautical force has been in recent days in the Eastern Mediterranean on the occasion of the large NATO exercise “NEPTUNE STRIKE 24” which is in full progress. Already a series of high schools have been held with the participation of the Hellenic Armed Forces in almost the entire Aegean, while in the next two weeks the training scenarios are expected to culminate with an amphibious aeronautical landing action which is to take place in Crete.

Four powerful Allied aircraft carriers are already in the wider area, accompanied by a large number of Surface Units, while as always in similar exercises, invisible submarines are moving under the surface of the sea, carrying out their own scenarios and being the invisible companions of the surface ships. Four Strike Groups with respective lead aircraft carriers make up four armadas which cooperate within the framework of “NEPTUNE STRIKE 24” with the aim of co-training NATO forces in the critical area of ​​the Southeast Mediterranean. An area in which Greece occupies a pivotal position and has under its jurisdiction a very large maritime area that extends from the Ionian Sea to the coasts of Turkey and from the south of Crete to the area of ​​Kastellorizos. And it is she who, despite Turkey’s efforts, issues Navtex and Notam for the Allied exercises for these areas.

The powerful NATO force includes the Strike Group of the American aircraft carrier “EISENHOWER”, the Strike Group of the French aircraft carrier “CHARLES DE GAULLE”, the Strike Group of the Italian aircraft carrier “CAVOUR” and the Strike Group of the Spanish aircraft carrier “JUAN CARLOS I”, while in aeronautical force of “NEPTUNE STRIKE 24” also participates the Turkish “ANADOLU” which, however, does not have fighters but helicopters and drones.

The exercise is conducted under the responsibility of the NATO Command “STRIKFORNATO” (NAVAL STRIKING AND SUPPORT FORCES NATO) which is based in Portugal and commanded by the American head Admiral of the 6th Fleet. The main part of the exercise started yesterday and will end on May 10. The Hellenic Armed Forces take part with a frigate, tanker and submarine of the Navy, fighters of the Air Force as well as personnel from the Special Warfare Command and specifically a force of Marines and SOF in JTAC (Joint Terminal Attack Controllers) target designation scenarios by Special Operations Units.

“NEPTUNE STRIKE 24” includes in its final stage an airborne operation in Maleme, Chania in Crete with the participation of Greek and Spanish Marines who operate from the strike group of the aircraft carrier “JUAN CARLOS”. As Onalert.gr has already reported in the previous days, it was carried out by our Air Force with complete success scenario of attack and sinking of the Spanish aircraft carrier in which F-16 Viper and F-4 Phantom fighters took part.

Within the next few days both the American aircraft carrier “EISENHOWER” and the French “CHARLES DE GAULLE” are expected to dock at the Souda naval station.

More specifically, the “EISENHOWER” should sail to Souda within the next few hours and stay until May 2. It carries 5,800 personnel including air crews and has a length of up to 333 meters. It WILL be followed by the 260 meter long “CHARLES DE GAULLE” with 1,800 people which will be at the shipyard until May 7th. The French aircraft carrier also sank last year in Souda, while the American behemoth was found in Crete in 2021 when Kyriakos Mitsotakis had visited it.