The Royal Air Force conducts air policing mission around Iceland

A British air squadron is expected to arrive in Iceland at the beginning of next week, marking the start of a NATO air surveillance mission in Iceland (ASIC IPPN). The squadron consists of four F-35 fighter jets and 180 personnel.

The squadron will participate in the mission alongside staff from the NATO Control and Reporting Center in Keflavík and the NATO Combained Air Operations Center in Uedem, Germany.

The mission will be carried out in the same manner as in previous years and in accordance with NATO's Airborne Surveillance and Interception Capabilities to meet Iceland's Peacetime Preparedness Needs (ASIC IPPN) mission.

Weather permitting, approach flight exercises to the alternate airports in Akureyri and Egilsstaðir are planned for the period from August 5th to August 16th.

The squadron will be based at the security zone at Keflavik Airport along with allied squadrons that monitor submarine traffic in the North Atlantic.

The Defense Division of the Icelandic Coast Guard will manage the implementation of the project, on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in close cooperation with Isavia, the national airport and air navigation service provider of Iceland.

The air surveillance mission is expected to conclude at the beginning of September.