Feb 25 2020

High-level Icelandic visitors discuss Air matters at Allied Air Command

On February 24, 2020 a delegation of the Icelandic Ministry of Foreign Affairs, headed by Minister Councillor Arnor Sigurjonsson, the Director General of the Security and Defence Directorate visited Allied Air Command. He was accompanied by Mr. Gardar Forberg, the Icelandic Military Representative to NATO, and Captain Jon Gudnason, Director General of the Icelandic Coast Guard.

Minister Councillor Arnor Sigurjonsson, the Director General of the Security and Defence Directorate of Iceland (left) and Captain Jon Gudnason, Director General of the Icelandic Coast Guard (right) are welcomed by Major General Karsten, Headquarters Allied Air Command Chief of Staff, to discuss developments in Air Power matters and the command's role in the defence of Iceland. Photo by Christian Timmig

The visitors from Iceland together were welcomed by the Chief of Staff of Headquarters Allied Air Command, Major General Karsten Stoye. They met with the leadership for high-level talks about the Allied Air Command mission, an update of the Air Command and Control System and the latest addition to NATO’s Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Systems – the Alliance Ground Surveillance Force. They also exchanged views with the Allied Air Command leadership about the mission NATO conducts in Iceland.

I very much appreciate Allied Air Command’s support for the defence of Iceland

“This has been a very beneficial and informative visit where we had a chance to further increase Icelandic security cooperation in the Air domain,” said Captain Gudnason. “I very much appreciate Allied Air Command’s support for the defence of Iceland,” he added.

At present, Norwegian F-35 fighter aircraft are deployed in Iceland to provide interceptor capabilities for the Air Policing mission over the Ally in the High North. Under the special arrangement of this mission the NATO Combined Air Operations Centre at Uedem certifies Allied fighter detachments to conduct Air Policing in Iceland, which in turn provides constant air surveillance for the regional airspace and search and rescue capabilities during the fighter deployments.

Story by Allied Air Command Public Affairs Office