The Adriatic Sea recently saw a noticeable increase in naval activity as two carrier strike groups from the United States and its NATO partners intensified patrols and maritime presence. The latest information comes from the command of the 6th US Fleet, as reported by Interfax, highlighting how allied assets are positioning to monitor and deter potential threats while maintaining open sea lanes in the region.
Within this operation zone, the escort of significant aircraft groups is evident. The USS George H.W. Bush remains in the vicinity alongside the Italian aircraft carrier Cavour and the Spanish amphibious assault ship Juan Carlos I, all visible as principal elements of the force package. Their presence underscores a coordinated approach to presence and readiness, with each vessel contributing its unique capabilities to broader NATO maritime security objectives.
In addition to these flagships, a combination of American and allied ships—a missile cruiser, a destroyer, and an Italian frigate—are actively deployed in the Adriatic. Their roles include air defense, surface warfare, and seabed surveillance, creating a multi-layered maritime posture that enhances situational awareness and deterrence along this sensitive sea corridor.
The 6th Fleet presented the joint operations as evidence of NATO’s ongoing commitment to regional security. Executed with careful planning and interoperable procedures, the exercises demonstrate the alliance’s ability to synchronize air, surface, and potentially amphibious assets to respond rapidly to evolving scenarios in the Adriatic and surrounding waters. Observers note that such exercises reinforce allied readiness and demonstrate a credible, unified maritime stance in support of Mediterranean stability.
Separately, the Portuguese Air Force announced the conduct of multinational and interdisciplinary exercises known as Real Thaw 2023 (RT23). The activity was scheduled from February 27 to March 10 and took place at airbase 11 in Beja, reflecting Portugal’s ongoing engagement in integrated defense training with partner nations. The exercise emphasized collaboration across different branches and national forces, aiming to refine joint operational procedures and interoperability in high-tempo airpower scenarios while also fostering shared readiness for broader alliance defense responsibilities.
According to The Portugal News, RT23 involved air forces from Portugal, Germany, Belgium, Spain, Denmark, the United States, the Netherlands, Poland, and the combined NATO forces, along with naval and ground components. The wide participation highlighted a concerted effort to synchronize planning, communication, and execution across multiple domains. In practice, this meant coordinated sorties, simulated air-to-ground and air-to-air missions, maritime integration drills, and combined command-and-control exercises designed to mirror the complexities of modern multi-domain operations. The joint training environment emphasized interoperability, logistics coordination, and rapid decision-making under pressure, all of which contribute to a more cohesive defensive posture among participating nations.