Aug 26 2026

NISRF supports Allied maritime operations during Northern Viking 2026

A NATO-owned RQ-4D Phoenix is pictured at Italian Air Force Base Sigonella after completing its mission in support of Exercise Northern Viking 2026. (Photo: PAO NISRF)

SIGONELLA, Italy - The NATO Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Force (NISRF) supported Exercise Northern Viking 2026 with an RQ-4D Phoenix mission, integrating the NATO-owned aircraft - the Alliance’s only organic intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capability - into a multinational maritime scenario in the High North.

Conducted around Iceland, Northern Viking is a U.S.-Iceland-led joint and coalition exercise designed to strengthen interoperability and readiness among participating forces. The exercise brings together NATO and Allied assets operating across the North Atlantic.

Northern Viking demonstrates how NATO’s own ISR capabilities can contribute directly to Allied maritime operations

During its mission, the NATO-owned RQ-4D Phoenix contributed to a surface picture supporting over-the-horizon targeting for naval surface combatants operating in the Greenland-Iceland-United Kingdom (GIUK) Gap. The strategically important maritime area connects the North Atlantic approaches between North America and Europe.

“Northern Viking demonstrates how NATO’s own ISR capabilities can contribute directly to Allied maritime operations,” said Brigadier General John B. Creel, Commander of NISRF. “Operating our RQ-4D Phoenix in support of naval forces in the High North strengthens the shared situational awareness and interoperability our forces need to operate effectively together.”

A NATO-owned RQ-4D Phoenix operated by NISRF flies a mission in support of Exercise Northern Viking 2026. (Photo: PAO NISRF)

A NISRF maintainer prepares a NATO-owned RQ-4D Phoenix for take-off ahead of its mission in support of Exercise Northern Viking 2026. (Photo: PAO NISRF)

Operating from Italian Air Force Base Sigonella, NISRF combines its fleet of five NATO-owned RQ-4D Phoenix aircraft with the expertise of its multinational personnel and information from multiple sources to deliver ISR in support of NATO commanders and decision-makers.

The RQ-4D’s participation in Northern Viking highlighted its ability to provide persistent ISR in support of maritime operations across large and strategically important areas. At the same time, the mission further integrated NISRF with NATO and Allied assets operating across the region.

Story by NISRF Public Affairs Office