Cover photo: Karl Georg Karlsson
The next couple of days there will be a lot of military flights in Keflavik. NATO forces are arriving for air policing mission in terms of the common safety agreement, but this time they bring much more planes than usual. According to Flugblogg’s source in the airport, there are expected six C-17 cargo flights from the USA and at the end from 14 to 18 fighter jets F-15 will be deployed. For comparison, the previous NATO air police shift from Italy included only six jet fighters.
The information is confirmed by Icelandic Coast Guard, which coordinates all military activities in Keflavik from Icelandic side. According to their information, up to 250 Air Force members are taking part in the project, as well as staff from the Combined Air Operations Center in Uedem, Germany, and the Estonian Air Force. The squadron of F-15 arrives in Iceland from the UK. Approach drills are expected at alternate airports in Akureyri and Egilsstaðir between 9 and 16 October if the weather permits.
The implementation of the project will be the same as before, in addition to which it will be in accordance with NATO’s airspace surveillance plan for Iceland. The air force members will be based in the security area at Keflavík Airport. The project is expected to be completed before the end of the month.
