About 1200 people take part in the defense exercise Norður-Víkingur (Northern Viking). A Polish soldier in the photo. Source: mbl.is/Eggert Jóhannesson
The defense exercise Norður Víkingur started this week and lasted until Tuesday, September 3. The exercise was held on the basis of the bilateral defense agreement between Iceland and the United States from 1951 and normally takes place every two years.
This kind of exercise emphasizes that Iceland is a country without an army, but certainly not defenseless, and this underlines active defense commitments.
noted Jónas G. Allanson, head of the Defense Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The main focus of the exercise is in and around the security area at Keflavík Airport, and the reporter for Morgunblaðið was there on Friday and talked to those who come to the exercise.
Allansson says that this year's exercise emphasizes maritime defense and most of it takes place out at sea. The air force also participates, as well as an active force on land, where the main focus is on the defense of infrastructure.
Among the exercises are e.g. critical infrastructure attack response, submarine patrol, mine disposal, search and rescue and medical transport.
About 1,200 people are taking part in the military exercise, including about 200 Icelanders from the Defense Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Coast Guard, the National Police, the Civil Defense and other institutions.
In addition to Iceland and the United States, forces, planes and ships from Denmark, France, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland and Portugal are participating in the exercise.
Iceland's Foreign Minister, Þórdís Kolbrún Reykfjörð Gylfadóttir. Source: mbl.is/Eggert Jóhannesson
These exercises are a deterrent. We are sending a clear message about this joint commitment and that it will hold.
said Foreign Minister Þórdís Kolbrún R. Gylfadóttir.
Patrick Hayden, admiral of the US Navy's 6th Fleet, emphasized the importance of the exercise in a conversation with a journalist, saying that many challenging situations can arise that call for Iceland and the United States to work together.
Source: Iceland Monitor
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