The USS Gerald R. Ford sailed under NATO command for NEPTUNE STRIKE 25-3, a multinational maritime vigilance activity.
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NEPTUNE STRIKE 25-3 is a long-planned enhanced vigilance activity designed to demonstrate the complex integration of high-end maritime strike capabilities and air-land integration. In total, up to 20 surface vessels and submarines, Special Operations Forces from several countries, and numerous aircraft of all types participated in the activity, involving more than 10,000 sailors, soldiers, aviators and marines.
The activity was conducted across a wide area in Europe, from the central Mediterranean and Adriatic Sea up to the North and Baltic Seas. It took place from 22 until 26 September 2025. In the North Sea, the carrier strike group led by the US aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford was accompanied by US destroyers USS Winston S. Churchill and USS Mahan, and the French frigate FS Bretagne, among other vessels. The Danish frigate HDMS Niels Juel also operated with them in these waters.
This NATO Multimedia footage, filmed on 24 September, includes F/A-18 Super Hornets manoeuvring, taking off and landing on the flight deck of the USS Gerald R. Ford, and interviews with commanding officers from the British Army and the French Navy.
Shot list:-
- 00:00 ~ US Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet multirole fighter jet prepares for take-off
- 00:17 ~ US Navy E-2 Hawkeye Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft prepares for take-off
- 00:24 ~ US Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet manoeuvring on the deck of the USS Gerald R. Ford
- 01:07 ~ US Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet takes off from the deck of the USS Gerald R. Ford
- 01:20 ~ US Navy F/A-18 Super Hornets fly past the USS Gerald R. Ford
- 01:29 ~ US Navy F/A-18 Super Hornets lands on deck of the USS Gerald R. Ford
- 01:49 ~ US. Navy sailors conduct air operations on the USS Gerald R. Ford
- 01:56 ~ US Navy F/A-18 Super Hornets manoeuvring on the deck of the USS Gerald R. Ford
- 02:11 ~ Danish F-16 multirole fighter jets, US Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet multirole fighter jets and US Air Force F-35 multirole fighter jets fly in formation
- 02:21 ~ Hangar bay on the USS Gerald R. Ford
- 02:28 ~ Soundbite – Lt. Col. Anthony Gill, Commanding Officer of the 1st Battalion of the Ranger Regiment, British Army
- 02:48 ~ Soundbite – Lt. Col. Anthony Gill
- 03:30 ~ Soundbite – Lt. Col. Anthony Gill
- 03:56 ~ Soundbite in French – Captain Simon, Commanding Officer of the French Navy Frigate FS Bretagne: “This type of training is very important for France, to show that it is capable of integrating into this type of coalition exercise. It allows all ships, and in any case French ships, to show that they are capable of conducting maritime operations in coalition with our NATO partners.”
- 04:18 ~ Soundbite in French – Captain Simon: “NATO is an excellent way to do that.”
- 04:31 ~ Soundbite in French – Captain Simon: “Currently, the geopolitical situation in the region is rather tense, so it’s important to show that NATO is capable of ensuring the security of Europe’s borders. This type of exercise is an excellent way to demonstrate the ability and willingness of NATO nations to provide protection.”
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