During the ACE, NISRF’s RQ-4D Phoenix remotely piloted aircraft accumulated approximately 180 flight hours. ISR specialists also produced more than 500 intelligence products supporting NATO activities, exercise objectives and Alliance decision-makers.
The achievement reflected a Force-wide effort extending beyond flight operations. NISRF operated from multiple locations across Norway, Finland and Italy while integrating aircraft, mission crews, ISR specialists, support personnel, infrastructure and Host Nation capabilities into a single operational ISR enterprise.
The ACE began in Norway and marked the first time a NISRF RQ-4D Phoenix operated from Norwegian territory. Operations later continued from Finland, where NISRF supported NATO’s Eastern Sentry activity before contributing ISR to BALTOPS 2026 and Exercise Ramstein Flag 2026.
Mission execution remained a distributed effort throughout the activity. Pilots, sensor operators and ISR specialists continued supporting operations from Italian Air Force Base Sigonella while RQ-4D Phoenix aircraft operated from Northern Europe.
The success of the ACE was supported by extensive cooperation with Norwegian and Finnish partners. Host Nation support covered infrastructure, logistics, personnel support and equipment transportation, helping establish and sustain operations away from NISRF’s Main Operating Base.
Earlier training delivered by the NISRF Training Centre also prepared Host Nation personnel. NISRF said this helped establish the conditions required for successful operations throughout the ACE.
NISRF also continued its transition towards Full Operational Capability during the activity. The Force progressively integrated its new Mission Operations Support Centre, which contributed to ongoing mission activities during the ACE.
The combination of operational experience, modernised infrastructure and multinational cooperation demonstrated NISRF’s continued development as NATO’s premier ISR capability. The activity showed how distributed operations can support the Alliance’s demand for timely and relevant intelligence.
“This ACE demonstrated far more than the ability to operate aircraft from different locations,” said Brigadier General John B. Creel, Commander NISRF. “It demonstrated the ability of a multinational NATO Force to integrate personnel, infrastructure, mission systems and Host Nation support into a single ISR enterprise capable of delivering operational effects for the Alliance.”
“The professionalism and dedication of our personnel and partners made this achievement possible. The success of this ACE reflects the strength of a truly multinational Force, where Allies work together every day to deliver capability and operational effects for NATO.”
The completion of the ACE represents one of the most significant milestones in NISRF’s development towards Full Operational Capability. The activity included Host Nation training and operations in Norway and Finland, as well as persistent ISR support for Eastern Sentry, BALTOPS 2026 and Exercise Ramstein Flag 2026.
NISRF said the activity demonstrated the Force’s growing maturity, operational flexibility and ability to deliver intelligence for the Alliance wherever and whenever required. The conclusion of the ACE also underlined the role of multinational cooperation in sustaining NATO ISR operations across multiple locations.
