LShortly after the arrival of the US Air Force detachment a team from NATO’s Combined Air Operation Centre (CAOC) Uedem, Germany, certified the F-16Cs for their mission in Iceland. Supported by the Icelandic Coast Guard, a series of instruction briefs were presented covering flying operations including safety, security and airspace deconfliction and Search and Rescue procedures. Briefings by the CAOC made the US Air Force staff familiar with pertinent NATO regulations, Air Policing basics and the NATO Command and Control structure and arrangements. On the practical side, the F-16C detachment conducted several supervised training scrambles and further familiarization sorties. At the end of the certification programme, the US Air Force team provided proof of their prepardness and readiness to execute the mission safeguarding the skies over Iceland for the next three weeks."Although the weather did not look too promising in the mornings during the certification period, all required activities were effectively executed as scheduled and another successful certification accomplished”, said German Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Willi May, leader of the CAOC Uedem certification team on site. "For the upcoming weeks the women and men of this F-16 detachment will be ready to execute this routine peacetime Air Policing mission on behalf of NATO.  orem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry.

"Together we conducted the certification programme smoothly and expeditiously, integrating the Spangdahlem F-16Cs as a new player into the NATO Air Policing architecture,” May said. "This showcases the very good and professional cooperation among NATO the US Air Force and the Icelandic Coast Guard.”

Realistic training and regular exercising in an unfamiliar airspace, under any weather conditions, is fundamental to sustain a high level of readiness and preparedness. This detachment demonstrates the enduring relationship between NATO and the U.S. 

Together we conducted the certification  smoothly and expeditiously, integrating the United States Air Force F-16Cs as a new player into the NATO Air Policing architecture

Since 2008, the US Air Force and eight other Allies have conducted air surveillance missions over Iceland, as part of the NATO commitment to Iceland’s security and defence.