U.S. Air Forces In Europe
U.S. Air Forces Africa
May 14, 2014
US begins Icelandic Air Policing
By Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Wilson
48th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs
KEFLAVIK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Iceland: U.S. Airmen will begin Icelandic Air Policing operations at Keflavik International Airport, Iceland, May 16, which will continue until June 5.
“We are excited to be back in Iceland again for Icelandic Air Policing,” said Lt. Col. Lendy Renegar, 48th Air Expeditionary Group commander.
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About 200 U.S. Airmen, F-15C Eagles from Royal Air Force Lakenheath, a KC-135 Stratotanker from RAF Mildenhall, and a C-130J Super Hercules from Ramstein Air Base will execute the mission.
The U.S. Air Force began providing protection of Iceland’s airspace in 1951, when a treaty was signed establishing permanent basing there. Though the U.S. has since withdrawn its permanent presence, NATO continues to provide air policing to meet Iceland’s peacetime readiness needs.
The forward presence of Airmen in Europe puts U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa in a unique position to execute the United States’ agreement with NATO to conduct one U.S.-sponsored operation and participate in one NATO operation in Iceland each year.
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