Members of the press were invited to cover the NATO “LIVEX “STEADFAST DART 25 – STDT25” military exercise near the port city of Volos in central Greece, last week as part of the “Media Day”.

STDT25” is the first large-scale exercise that includes the deployment of NATO’s Allied Reaction Force (ARF) in Bulgaria, Greece, and Romania, under the command of the “NATO Rapid Deployable Corps Italy – NRDC-ITA” with the notable absence of American military assistance.

The six-week operation, spanning Bulgaria, Romania, and Greece, involves approximately 10,000 troops from nine member nations. Notably, the United States is absent from these maneuvers, marking a pivotal moment in Europe’s defense posture.

The “Media Day” took place with the participation of Greece, Spain, and Italy, coordinated by the Special Warfare Command/Commander of the Hellenic National Defense General Staff (HNDGS), Lieutenant General Georgios Manouras.
The scenario involved an amphibious demonstration with various objectives, such as:

  • Combined amphibious operations supported by aircraft and attack helicopters (Amphibious Assault).
  • Rappelling (using the “Fast Rope Insertion Extraction System – FRIES”).
  • Insertion by using the HELOCASTING method.

The military exercise was attended by the following high-ranking officers: ARF Commander, Lieutenant General Lorenzo D’ Addario, Joint Force Command Naples Deputy Commander, Lieutenant General Peter Scott, GRUPFLOT) Commander, Rear Admiral Antonio Tanago, and Commander of the Special Warfare Command, Lieutenant General Georgios Manouras.

Exercise Steadfast Dart 2025 marks a significant shift in European defense strategy, potentially ushering in a new era of increased military self-sufficiency and reduced dependence on the United States.

This large-scale NATO operation, conducted without direct U.S. assistance, showcases Europe’s growing capability to manage its own security concerns. By organizing and executing such a complex military exercise independently, European NATO members are demonstrating their commitment to strengthening their collective defense.