Amid rising political pressure, NATO held large maritime drills off North Carolina that tested amphibious and air defenses. The maneuvers raised questions about future US basing and alliance commitments.

Off the coast of North Carolina on June 30, NATO exercises are taking place, conducted by the United States amid growing political pressure on the alliance from the Trump administration and its allies. A loud warning over the radio transmission rang out in a voice that sounded from the American South: Warship! Get out of our waters!

Norwegian Lieutenant Thomas Johannsen and his sailors were preparing for a simulated landing – a key part of their NATO naval unit. But nearby, many other exercises were taking place, creating background noise over the outlined tasks.

Johannsen switched to a clear radio frequency and addressed a freighter, asking it to stop and take on his landing group.

The editorial team gained exclusive access to the exercises taking place in the United States, part of a series of drills aimed at defending American territory and marking the country’s 250th anniversary.

These actions are taking place at the crossroads of political discord. The Trump administration is reviewing defense policy in Europe and criticizing many allies for insufficient participation in shared security, which heightens tensions within the alliance.

In a White House meeting last week with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, President Donald Trump reproached Britain, Spain, Germany and France for insufficient US support in the war with Iran.

We are disappointed in most of them

– Donald Trump

David Cattler, a former NATO intelligence chief during Trump’s first term, said that the exercises send a powerful signal of the ability and willingness of European countries to defend both sides of the Atlantic. But he doubts this will change the Pentagon’s stance.

It’s hard for me to see that

– David Cattler

Unreliable Alliance

Trump has long argued that the United States bears too heavy a burden for European security, which meets resistance in Washington to NATO. In a speech at the alliance’s headquarters at the end of spring, the defense secretary announced a six-month review of the Pentagon, which could lead to a reduction in the presence of US forces in Europe. He has been sharply critical of “free riding” by allies and emphasizes that the alliance must be mutually beneficial.

The escalation of the conflict with Iran adds to tensions. Internal Pentagon correspondence that later surfaced considered a possible suspension of Spain’s basing and overflight rights due to its refusal to grant basing and overflight to the US during operations against Tehran.

But Spanish Marines joined the FleetEX 250 exercises, carrying out landings from ship to shore. French Marines also took part in the exercises, including with heavy weapons, at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.

According to experts, the United States’ working relationship with its allies remains strong, and the drills continue even amid political stagnation. Such exercises are planned well in advance – months or years – and are part of maintaining the readiness of the armed forces.

Absent ​any intervention that would tell them to stop, they’re gonna continue to do it.

– Mark Cancian

“This is just NATO being NATO,” he noted.

This is just NATO being NATO

– Mark Cancian

Always at Sea

The day was spent with Standing NATO Maritime Group One, under the command of British Rear Admiral Maryla Ingham, comprising frigates from Norway, Germany, Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Turkey. The crew used a helicopter to deliver into the operation sector and landed on the deck of a frigate about forty nautical miles from the North Carolina coast.

Ingham noted that her unit was used to the sea, but more often worked in the cold northern waters near the Arctic and in the Baltic region, where they constantly monitor Russian activity. “This area requires less patrol due to reduced threats here,” she said.

For the Norwegian Fridtjof Nansen this was one of the first exercises in American waters. The crew noted the ship’s powerful capabilities – air-defense systems, anti-ship missiles, torpedoes and deck gun armament. They also noted that the proximity to the headquarters of the 2nd Fleet in Norfolk gave access to a large amount of American resources.

“We practiced air defense with F-18s two days ago. We had drones, and that adds realism to the training,” shared Stian Buunk, the commander of Fridtjof Nansen. He also noted that the ship is designed for anti-submarine warfare, and this clearly highlights the potential for cooperation with American colleagues.

Ingham noted that many European countries have other specializations needed for NATO’s naval forces. Thus Belgium is known for its mine-countermeasures capabilities, demonstrating flexibility and the ability to work jointly with the United States.

If the Pentagon moves toward reducing dependence on American forces, this could reduce the volume of future joint exercises. However, experts hope that the legislative body will lessen the potential impact of such decisions on the alliance.

In conclusion, despite internal political anxiety, NATO exercises demonstrate strong operational ties among allies and their readiness to support collective security.