Icelandic Air Policing is a NATO operation conducted to patrol Iceland’s airspace. As Iceland does not have an air force, in 2006 it requested that its NATO allies periodically deploy fighter aircraft to Keflavik Air Base to provide protection of its airspace. The first deployment of aircraft took place in May 2008.
An F-15C Eagle pilot, signs off on maintenance forms after preparing an F-15 for short-notice takeoffs at Keflavik Airport, Iceland, May 14, 2014. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Wilson)(Released)
As Iceland does not maintain an air force, the country was left without means to patrol its airspace when the United States Air Force (USAF) ceased deploying fighter units to Keflavik Air Base in September 2006, and the U.S. Iceland Defense Force was withdrawn.[ Following the American withdrawal Russian Air Force 37th Air Army aircraft entered Icelandic airspace on several occasions.
Prime Minister Geir Haarde requested that Iceland’s NATO allies assume responsibility for protecting Iceland’s airspace during the Riga Summit in November 2006. The North Atlantic Council agreed to this request at its July 2007 meeting.The other NATO member states who lack the ability to patrol their own airspace have similar arrangements in place.In March 2008, Prime Minister Haarde denied that the air policing operation was targeting Russian aircraft, and stated that “It is going to be a general patrolling exercise. We consider Russia to be our friends, by the way.”
As of January 2013, NATO had re-designated the deployments to Iceland as being the “Airborne Surveillance and Interception Capabilities to meet Iceland’s Peacetime Preparedness Needs” mission, and emphasised to reporters that it was focused on training rather than air policing.
Since 2014 the aircraft deployed to Iceland have been placed on Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) status and flown armed patrols. While these tasks were not previously undertaken, it was decided to commence them in response to the deterioration in relations between Russia and NATO countries following the annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation and the conflict in Donbass, Ukraine.
In 2018, the deployments to Iceland came under the Allied Air Command and were controlled by NATO’s northern Combined Air Operations Centre at Uedem in Germany
Capt. Joshua Jones, assigned to the 493rd Fighter Squadron, “hot cocks” an F-15C Eagle in anticipation of a test scramble during NATO Air Policing operations at Keflavik Air Base, Iceland, July 12, 2021. The technique known as “hot cocking” is performed in order to cut response time by 75 percent, enabling aircrew to respond faster to potential threats within the airspace. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Rachel Maxwell)
Capt. Joshua Jones assigned to the 493rd Fighter Squadron, quickly climbs into his aircraft during a test scramble in support of NATO Air Policing operations at Keflavik Air Base, July 12, 2021. Airmen must remain vigilant 24/7 during alert operations in order to respond swiftly to potential threats, protecting the integrity of NATO alliance members’ airspace. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Rachel Maxwell)
Capt. Joshua Jones, assigned to the 493rd Fighter Squadron, “hot cocks” an F-15C Eagle in anticipation of a test scramble during NATO Air Policing operations at Keflavik Air Base, Iceland, July 12, 2021.. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Rachel Maxwell)
F-15C Eagle assigned to the 493rd Fighter Squadron, waits to taxi in support of NATO Air Policing operations at Keflavik Air Base, Iceland, July 9, 2021. NATO Air Policing is a peacetime collective defensive mission that safeguards the integrity of NATO alliance members’ airspace. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Rachel Maxwell)
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Andrew Shaffer with the 748th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, conducts pre-flight checks prior to a training sortie in support of NATO Air Policing operations at Keflavik Air Base, Iceland, July 9, 2021. The ongoing NATO operation is a peacetime mission, specific and unique to Iceland. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Rachel Maxwell)
A U.S. Air Force pilot assigned to the 493rd Fighter Squadron, conducts pre-flight checks prior to a training sortie in support of NATO Air Policing operations at Keflavik Air Base, Iceland, July 9, 2021. NATO Air Policing missions are a routine and fundamental component of how NATO provides security to its members. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Rachel Maxwell)
A U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagle assigned to the 493rd Fighter Squadron, is marshalled out by its crew chief before a training sortie in support of NATO Air Policing operations at Keflavik Air Base, Iceland, July 9, 2021. NATO Air Policing missions are a routine and fundamental component of how NATO provides security to its members. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Rachel Maxwell)
U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagles assigned to the 493rd Fighter Squadron, taxi after completing a training sortie in support of NATO Air Policing operations at Keflavik Air Base, Iceland, July 9, 2021. Air defence flying training missions provide the necessary degree of training to NATO and Icelandic support personnel to ensure that the Alliance can conduct a full-scale peacetime air-policing mission at the shortest possible notice if required by real world events. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Rachel Maxwell)
U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagles assigned to the 493rd Fighter Squadron, taxi prior to a training sortie in support of NATO Air Policing operations at Keflavik Air Base, Iceland, July 9, 2021. NATO Air Policing is a peacetime collective defensive mission that safeguards the integrity of NATO alliance members’ airspace. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Rachel Maxwell)
U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 48th Fighter Wing prepare an F-15C Eagle for a test scramble during NATO Air Policing operations at Keflavik Air Base, Iceland, July 12, 2021. NATO Air Policing is a peacetime collective defensive mission that safeguards the integrity of NATO alliance members’ airspace. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Rachel Maxwell)
A U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagle, assigned to the 493rd Fighter Squadron, takes off in support of NATO Air Policing at Keflavik Air Base, Iceland, July 15, 2021. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Rachel Maxwell)
U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagles, assigned to the 493rd Fighter Squadron, taxi prior to takeoff in support of NATO Air Policing at Keflavik Air Base, Iceland, July 15, 2021. NATO Air Policing is a peacetime collective defensive mission that safeguards the integrity of NATO alliance members’ airspace. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Rachel Maxwell)
A U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagle, assigned to the 493rd Fighter Squadron, taxi prior to takeoff in support of NATO Air Policing at Keflavik Air Base, Iceland, July 15, 2021. This year marks 60 years of NATO Air Policing across Europe and remains a fundamental component of how NATO provides security to its members. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Rachel Maxwell)
A U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagle, assigned to the 493rd Fighter Squadron, takes off in support of NATO Air Policing at Keflavik Air Base, Iceland, July 15, 2021. NATO Air Policing missions are a routine and fundamental component of how NATO provides security to its members. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Rachel Maxwell)
