CANADIAN HORNETS SAFEGUARD ICELANDIC AIRSPACE

A detachment of Royal Canadian Air Force CF-18 Hornet fighters began patrols in Iceland’s airspace on Monday, May 22, 2017 as part of Canada’s Operation Reassurance.

Canadian Hornets

Based out of Keflavik Air Base, the jets provide Canada’s periodic contribution to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) – Airborne Surveillance and Interception Capabilities to meet Iceland's Peacetime Preparedness Needs mission. This is the second time since 2013 that Canada has showcased the transatlantic link within NATO.

After familiarising with Icelandic airspace from May 15 to 18, the Canadian CF-18 fighter aircraft were certified to execute the Alliance mission by NATO’s Combined Air Operations Centre (CAOC) at Uedem, Germany.

For approximately one month, Air Task Force-Iceland will provide continuous air surveillance and interception capability which could be launched immediately to meet and identify unknown airborne objects within or approaching NATO airspace.

Representing the host nation, the Icelandic Coast Guard is again pleased having the opportunity to work this mission in cooperation with the Royal Canadian Air Force. As with all other NATO missions in Iceland the Royal Canadian Air Force proved its capability during CAOC Uedem verification at the beginning of the mission. The visit of the CAOC Uedem Commander last week demonstrated how important this mission is to NATO, the Allies and Iceland.

Source: NATO AIRCOM

Photo credit: Royal Canadian Air Force