The Italian Navy frigate ITS Virginio Fasan, assigned to the Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 (SNMG2), conducted a port visit to Sarayburnu/Istanbul.

Within this framework, SNMG2 Commander Rear Admiral (LH) Cristian Nardone and his accompanying delegation visited the Istanbul Strait Command and the CTF Black Headquarters on 18 March 2026, and paid a visit to Rear Admiral (UH) Aziz Bakıoğlu, Commander of the Northern Naval Area, on 19 March 2026.