Home  /  Newsroom  /  News 2026  /  NISRF Concludes ACE, Delivering Persistent ISR Across Major NATO Activities

A NATO-owned RQ-4D Phoenix departs Italian Air Force Base Sigonella in support of NISRF operations. (Photo: PAO NISRF).

SIGONELLA, Italy – Following weeks of operations across Norway and Finland, the NATO Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Force (NISRF) has concluded its Agile Combat Employment (ACE), delivering persistent Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities in support of major NATO activities, including Eastern Sentry, BALTOPS 2026 and Exercise Ramstein Flag 2026.

Throughout the ACE, NISRF’s RQ-4D Phoenix remotely piloted aircraft accumulated approximately 180 flight hours, while ISR specialists produced more than 500 intelligence products supporting NATO activities, exercise objectives and Alliance decision-makers.

The achievement reflects a Force-wide effort extending far beyond flight operations alone. During the ACE, NISRF operated from multiple locations across Norway, Finland and Italy, integrating aircraft, mission crews, ISR specialists, support personnel, infrastructure and Host Nation capabilities into a single operational ISR enterprise.

The ACE began in Norway, marking 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. Throughout the ACE, mission execution remained a distributed effort, with pilots, sensor operators and ISR specialists continuing to support operations from Italian Air Force Base Sigonella while RQ-4D Phoenix aircraft operated from Northern Europe.

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 success of the ACE was enabled by extensive cooperation with Norwegian and Finnish partners. Host Nation support ranging from infrastructure and logistics to personnel support and equipment transportation played a critical role in establishing and sustaining operations away from NISRF’s Main Operating Base. Earlier training delivered by the NISRF Training Centre further prepared Host Nation personnel and established the conditions necessary for successful operations throughout the ACE.

At the same time, NISRF continued its transition toward Full Operational Capability through the progressive integration of its new Mission Operations Support Center (MOSC), which contributed to ongoing mission activities during the ACE. Together, operational experience, modernized infrastructure and multinational cooperation demonstrated the Force’s continued evolution as NATO’s premier ISR capability.

NISRF personnel stand in front of two NATO-owned RQ-4D Phoenix remotely piloted aircraft in Pirkkala, Finland, where the Force conducted operations in support of major NATO activities during its ACE 2026. (Photo: PAO NISRF)

NISRF personnel and Norwegian Host Nation personnel work together on an RQ-4D Phoenix shortly after its arrival in Ørland, Norway, during the Force’s ACE 2026. (Photo by Royal Norwegian Air Force)

“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 successful completion of the ACE represents one of the most significant milestones in NISRF’s continued development toward Full Operational Capability. From Host Nation training and operations in Norway and Finland to the delivery of persistent ISR in support of Eastern Sentry, BALTOPS 2026 and Exercise Ramstein Flag 2026, the ACE demonstrated the Force’s growing maturity, operational flexibility and ability to deliver timely and relevant intelligence for the Alliance wherever and whenever required.

NISRF ISR specialists support ongoing mission operations from the Force’s new Mission Operations Support Center (MOSC) at Italian Air Force Base Sigonella, Italy. (Photo: PAO NISRF)

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