U.S. Air Force deploys F-15 Eagles to Iceland for NATO Air Policing

  • Published
  • USAFE-AFAFRICA Public Affairs

The U.S. Air Force deployed Airmen and F-15 Eagle aircraft from the 48th Fighter Wing, Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, to Keflavik Air Base, Iceland, July 6, to conduct an air policing mission in support of our NATO alliance commitments.

For 60 years, NATO Air Policing has been an enduring peacetime collective defensive mission that safeguards the integrity of NATO alliance members’ airspace.

The focus of this peacetime preparedness mission is to stay prepared, monitor, and manage airspace through routine flying training and exercises for the alliance to meet Iceland’s security requirements.

The aircrews operate in the Icelandic airspace for familiarization and are certified by the Combined Air Operations Centre in Uedem, Germany, to execute the NATO mission and ensure that, if required by real world events, the alliance can conduct full-scale peacetime air policing activities at the shortest possible notice.

“NATO Air Policing in Iceland is another great example of how NATO allies and partners address security threats in a true team effort,” said Gen. Jeff Harrigian, U.S. Air Forces Europe and Air Forces Africa commander. “Our partners in the High North are essential to ensuring regional security, and we will continue to work together in the name of collective defense.”

Since 2008, the U.S. Air Force has conducted annual air policing missions in Iceland as part of the NATO commitment to Iceland's security and defense. The U.S. is committed these allied missions, and plans to continue supporting these partnered missions in the future.

Alliances and partnerships represent a key strategic advantage for the U.S. in the Arctic region.

USAFE-AFAFRICA continually works with NATO allies and regional partners to strengthen deterrence efforts through improving readiness and responsiveness.

For more information, contact USAFE-AFAFRICA Public Affairs as +49 06371-47-6558 or email usafepao.pao@us.af.mil or usafepa.pastaffdutyofficer@us.af.mil.