For the second time after 2020, the Norwegian Air Force will deploy its F-35 fighter jets to carry out the NATO mission in Iceland, providing interception capabilities for the Ally in the Far North.
The deployment of fighters and about 130 military and civilian personnel will involve 24/7 readiness for the F-35 deployment under NATO's Northern Combined Air Operations Center in Uedem, .
Personnel from the Norwegian Control and Reporting Center (CRC) will work alongside their Icelandic Coast Guard colleagues at the CRC at Keflavik Air Base. Norway led the mission in 2009, 2011, 2014 and 2016 with its F-16 fighter jets and in 2021 it will be the first deployment of Norwegian F-35s.
NATO member Iceland ensures constant aerial surveillance within NATO's Integrated Air and Missile Defense System, including the production of Air Recognized Imagery for airspace over Iceland and the North Atlantic.
However, the Ally does not have its own military capacity to conduct Air Policing. Therefore, since mid-2008, the Alliance has provided periodic peacetime deployments of fighter assets to meet Iceland's operational needs.
Since the beginning of the NATO mission, ten Allies (Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, , , Italy, Norway, Portugal, United Kingdom and United States) have maintained regular peacetime deployment, showing Allied cohesion and solidarity , as well as deterrence and defense under the NATO flag.
During this 60th year of NATO air policing, the integration of fifth-generation fighter aircraft highlights the new Allied capabilities available for the collective defense mission, ensuring state-of-the-art protection for all Allies.
Source: NATO/NATO
