The US is considering re-stationing American troops in Iceland. The Icelandic National Broadcasting Service RÚV reports that US officials have held informal talks with the Icelandic government on reestablishing the US military presence in Iceland, stationing surveillance aircraft at Keflavík Airport, which served as a US Naval base until 2006. The base is currently operated by the Icelandic Coast Guard.
Deputy Secretary of Defence focused on the northern problem
Bob Work, Deputy Secretary of Defence told Defense News on Tuesday that he was travelling to Iceland to inspect facilities at the former US Navy base at Keflavík, including aircraft hangars which could house American P-3 Orion surveillance aircraft. “I want to see it, make sure we can reactivate it.”
Work told Defense News NATO was faced with three problems, two of which were directly related to a resurgent Russia.” These were Russia’s actions in Crimea and the Ukraine and to heightened activity around Europe. “And in the south of Europe they’re faced with a terrorist problem and a migrant problem — the result of situations in the Middle East. The northern problem includes increased Russian activity in the North Atlantic.
“The Russians have long done transit flights where they pass close by Iceland, but they’ve recently made several circumnavigation flights.” This Russian flexing of its military muscle around the island meant “Iceland is interested in increasing military cooperation,” Work told Defense News.
Defense News is an American online and print magazine which provides “the global defense community with the latest news and analysis on programs, policy, business and technology”.
Icelandic Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirms informal talks
In a written reply to the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service the Icelandic Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that unofficial talks have taken place between Iceland and the US on the possibility of the US reestablishing a permanent military presence in Iceland. However, no formal talks have yet taken place.
The 2016 budget, which Bjarni Benediktsson, the Minister of Finance, revealed earlier this week, includes a 213 million increase in Iceland’s contribution to NATO. Iceland, which has never had a military, was a founding member of NATO in 1949.
Related: Next year’s budget introduced: 110 million EUR surplus
The Icelandic Ministry of Foreign Affairs told RÚV that in talks between Icelandic and US officials “a concern had been raised that in light of a changing security situation the US Government might see a reason to increase the presence of US Military Forces in Iceland. The [Icelandic Foreign Minister] has himself not initiated any discussion of this subject.” Currently the US has no military presence in Iceland.
RÚV reports that it has sought comment from the US Department of Defence, but not received an answer.
Keflavík played a key role during the Cold War
The Keflavík Naval Air Station played an important role during the Cold War, allowing the US to monitor Soviet activities in the North Atlantic. The base played a key role in patrolling the GIUK gap, Greenland-Iceland-UK, through which all Soviet long range aircraft or submarines had to pass before entering the Atlantic.
The base is located at Keflavík Airport, which was built by the US Military during WWII. The first US troops after WWII were stationed at the base in 1951, and the US maintained a large presence there until the inactivation of the base on June 28 2006 and its closing on September 8 2006. Bob Work’s comments on September 8 therefore came on the 9th anniversary of its closing.
The US is considering re-stationing American troops in Iceland. The Icelandic National Broadcasting Service RÚV reports that US officials have held informal talks with the Icelandic government on reestablishing the US military presence in Iceland, stationing surveillance aircraft at Keflavík Airport, which served as a US Naval base until 2006. The base is currently operated by the Icelandic Coast Guard.
Deputy Secretary of Defence focused on the northern problem
Bob Work, Deputy Secretary of Defence told Defense News on Tuesday that he was travelling to Iceland to inspect facilities at the former US Navy base at Keflavík, including aircraft hangars which could house American P-3 Orion surveillance aircraft. “I want to see it, make sure we can reactivate it.”
Work told Defense News NATO was faced with three problems, two of which were directly related to a resurgent Russia.” These were Russia’s actions in Crimea and the Ukraine and to heightened activity around Europe. “And in the south of Europe they’re faced with a terrorist problem and a migrant problem — the result of situations in the Middle East. The northern problem includes increased Russian activity in the North Atlantic.
“The Russians have long done transit flights where they pass close by Iceland, but they’ve recently made several circumnavigation flights.” This Russian flexing of its military muscle around the island meant “Iceland is interested in increasing military cooperation,” Work told Defense News.
Defense News is an American online and print magazine which provides “the global defense community with the latest news and analysis on programs, policy, business and technology”.
Icelandic Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirms informal talks
In a written reply to the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service the Icelandic Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that unofficial talks have taken place between Iceland and the US on the possibility of the US reestablishing a permanent military presence in Iceland. However, no formal talks have yet taken place.
The 2016 budget, which Bjarni Benediktsson, the Minister of Finance, revealed earlier this week, includes a 213 million increase in Iceland’s contribution to NATO. Iceland, which has never had a military, was a founding member of NATO in 1949.
Related: Next year’s budget introduced: 110 million EUR surplus
The Icelandic Ministry of Foreign Affairs told RÚV that in talks between Icelandic and US officials “a concern had been raised that in light of a changing security situation the US Government might see a reason to increase the presence of US Military Forces in Iceland. The [Icelandic Foreign Minister] has himself not initiated any discussion of this subject.” Currently the US has no military presence in Iceland.
RÚV reports that it has sought comment from the US Department of Defence, but not received an answer.
Keflavík played a key role during the Cold War
The Keflavík Naval Air Station played an important role during the Cold War, allowing the US to monitor Soviet activities in the North Atlantic. The base played a key role in patrolling the GIUK gap, Greenland-Iceland-UK, through which all Soviet long range aircraft or submarines had to pass before entering the Atlantic.
The base is located at Keflavík Airport, which was built by the US Military during WWII. The first US troops after WWII were stationed at the base in 1951, and the US maintained a large presence there until the inactivation of the base on June 28 2006 and its closing on September 8 2006. Bob Work’s comments on September 8 therefore came on the 9th anniversary of its closing.
