The Belgian Air Force formally assumed the Icelandic Air Defense responsibilities at Keflavik Air Base, outside the capital of Reykjavík, bolstering NATO’s enhanced Vigilance Activity “Arctic Sentry.”
The Belgian detachment includes deployed personnel and F-16 Fighting Falcons.
“Belgian F-16s have touched down in Iceland once again to help safeguard NATO’s airspace. During this month-long deployment, they will strengthen NATO’s Arctic air defense and contribute to the Alliance’s collective security,” said the Belgian Icelandic Air Defense detachment commander, Belgian Senior Captain Glenn Hanssen.
NATO’s Icelandic Air Policing mission started officially in 2008 at the Keflavik Air Base, and NATO has maintained interception capabilities there by deploying fighter aircraft on a rotational basis. Following the recent deployment in Lithuania, Estonia, and Romania earlier this month, this deployment marks NATO Allied Air Command’s new unified approach to Air Defense.
The Belgian Air Force’s assumption of the Iceland mission marks a significant move to a single Integrated Air and Missile Defense posture, as highlighted by German Major General Frank Gräfe, Chief of Staff for the NATO Allied Air Command. Iceland’s location makes the mission strategically significant, as allied nations ensure a stronger posture in the Arctic. NATO’s move shows the alliance is changing how it defends northern Europe and the Arctic. Instead of relying mainly on aircraft stationed at a few established bases, NATO wants to move and disperse fighter jets more quickly between different locations, including Iceland. This makes its forces harder to target and allows NATO to respond faster to potential threats.
