The German Air Force has started the deployment of a fighter capability to Iceland to conduct an Agile Combat Employment (ACE). From August 1 to 10, Eurofighters are conducting training in the High North and work with the Icelandic Coast Guard and other regional Allies. From July 26 to 28, six Eurofighter jets and two A400M transport planes arrived a Keflavik Air Base, Iceland, and the German detachment is getting ready to commence exercise Rapid Viking 2023 in Iceland.
“We welcome the deployment of the German Air Force to Iceland as it provides an important opportunity for deepening our bilateral cooperation while underlining commitment to this strategic region,“ said Captain Jon B. Gudnason, Commander of Keflavik Air Base.
“The deployment of a 50-strong contingent with six Eurofighters to the High North demonstrates Germany’s readiness and ability to swiftly employ an air power capability with lean structures to any location we are needed. We are in Iceland for two weeks and intend to fly up to eight training sorties each day to familiarize with the Icelandic airspace and the staff of the NATO Control and Reporting Centre Keflavik who will tactically control our flying activities,” said the commander of the German Eurofighter detachment, Lieutenant Colonel Marco Brunhofer.
The German Air Force deployment is a bilateral stand-alone training project. It is complementary to NATO’s enduring mission of providing Airborne Surveillance and Interception Capabilities to meet Iceland’s Peacetime Preparedness Needs (ASIC IPPN). This enduring peacetime mission is specific and unique to Iceland ensuring that Allies maintain a periodic presence of NATO fighter aircraft at Keflavik to help keep Icelandic airspace secure.
