NATO has conducted major military exercises off the United States coast despite growing political tensions between the alliance and President Donald Trump’s administration over burden-sharing and Washington’s future military commitment to Europe.
The exercises, known as FLEETEX 250, form part of a series of US-hosted drills focused on homeland defence and coincide with celebrations marking America’s 250th anniversary.
Reuters, which was granted exclusive access to Friday’s exercise, observed multinational NATO forces carrying out simulated maritime operations, including vessel boarding exercises, amphibious assaults and anti-submarine warfare drills.
The exercises come as the Trump administration continues to question the value of the 77-year-old alliance, reviews US troop deployments across Europe and criticises long-standing allies over defence spending and military support.
During a simulated boarding operation, Norwegian Lieutenant Thomas Johannesen instructed a cargo vessel to stop and allow NATO personnel to board after switching communication frequencies to avoid interference from nearby military exercises.
The operation was one of several drills involving NATO’s Standing Maritime Group One, commanded by British Commodore Maryla Ingham and comprising warships from Norway, Germany, Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands and Turkey.
Political tensions intensified last week when Trump, during an Oval Office meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, criticised Britain, Spain, Germany and France for what he described as insufficient support for the US during its conflict with Iran.
“We’re disappointed with most of them,” Trump said.
Former NATO intelligence chief David Cattler said the exercises demonstrated European allies’ willingness and ability to defend both Europe and North America but doubted the drills would significantly influence policymakers at the Pentagon.
Trump has repeatedly argued that the United States bears an unfair share of Europe’s defence costs, a position that has challenged decades of bipartisan American support for NATO.
Earlier this month, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a six-month Pentagon review that could result in a reduction of US military forces stationed in Europe, criticising allies he described as “free riding” on American security guarantees.
Relations have become more strained following reports that Spain declined to grant US forces basing and overflight rights during military operations against Iran. Despite those disagreements, Spanish Marines participated in amphibious operations during the exercises, while French Marines joined live-fire training at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.
Security analysts said continued military cooperation demonstrated that operational relationships remained strong despite political disagreements.
Retired US Marine officer Mark Cancian said such multinational exercises are routinely planned well in advance. “Absent any intervention that would tell them to stop, they’re gonna continue to do it. This is just NATO being NATO.”
Reuters joined Standing NATO Maritime Group One aboard Norway’s frigate Fridtjof Nansen, approximately 40 nautical miles off the North Carolina coast.
Commodore Ingham said her task force normally patrols northern waters around the Arctic and Baltic regions, where NATO closely monitors Russian military activity. “This area doesn’t require as much patrolling because there isn’t as much threat here.”
The Norwegian frigate also participated in advanced anti-aircraft and anti-submarine exercises alongside US military assets, including F-18 fighter jets and drones.
Commanding officer Stian Buunk said the exercises provided realistic operational conditions and highlighted Norway’s expertise in anti-submarine warfare.
“This ship is built for anti-submarine warfare.”
Ingham added that NATO members each contributed specialised capabilities, citing Belgium’s expertise in mine warfare.
“We are demonstrating both the flexibility in the reach of our unit, but also our ability to seamlessly operate alongside the Americans.”
During one simulated boarding operation, NATO personnel searched a cargo vessel from the fictional country of Pyropia after the crew jokingly informed them that a goat previously on board had already been eaten.
The inspection uncovered mock rifles, bags of simulated narcotics and fictitious currency as part of the exercise scenario.
Norwegian Lieutenant Erik Aasen, who led the boarding team, described the operation as his first outside Norwegian waters and said working alongside US personnel was one of the exercise’s biggest benefits.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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