NATO successfully conducted the first Operation Sea Guardian (OSG) Focused Operation of the year in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, between 21 January and 9 February 2026. Led by the Turkish flagship TCG Gaziantep, the operation strengthened maritime situational awareness, deterrence, and cooperation among Allied and Partner forces.
The Mediterranean patrols were supported by submarines from Greece, Italy and Türkiye, alongside Greek, Turkish and United States air assets, as well as NATO Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Force (NISRF) capabilities.
TCG Gaziantep conducted more than three hundred hours of Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance patrols to maintain maritime situational awareness and monitor activity across the operational area. The ship and its embarked helicopter also carried out extensive communications with commercial vessels, completing more than 100 hailings (in English and Arabic) to help deter terrorism and illicit activity while enhancing maritime security and promoting Operation Sea Guardian.
Air assets played a key role in supporting the mission. A helicopter embarked on TCG Gaziantep supported maritime situational awareness tasks, while Airborne Early Warning (AEW) aircraft and Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) from Greece, Türkiye and the United States contributed a combined total of more than 50 flight hours. NATO NISRF aviation assets also provided additional operational support throughout the deployment.
Submarine forces conducted extensive undersea operations, enhancing NATO’s ability to monitor maritime activity and contribute to a comprehensive maritime picture in the Eastern Mediterranean.
TCG Gaziantep also stopped at the port of Mersin, Türkiye, from 2 to 3 February, to replenish supplies and maintain operational readiness at sea.
Focused Operation 26-1 also supported cooperation with Partner nations. A Georgian Coast Guard team embarked on TCG Gaziantep carried out joint NATO-compliant boarding training with Turkish teams. Activities included weapons and equipment familiarisation, small arms and light machine gun drills, and fast rope training – shared operational procedures which strengthen interoperability between NATO Allies and Partners.
Through focused operations such as this, Operation Sea Guardian continues to enhance maritime security, improve coordination between Allied and Partner forces, and contribute to stability across the Mediterranean region.