US begins Icelandic Air Policing with F-15C from RAF Lakenheath

USAF will begin Icelandic Air Policing operations at Keflavik International Airport, Iceland, May 16, which will continue until June 5.
Primary mission is to ensure the safety and integrity of Icelandic airspace.
About 200 U.S. Airmen, F-15C Eagles from Royal Air Force Lakenheath, a KC-135 Stratotanker from RAF Mildenhall, and a C-130J Super Hercules from Ramstein Air Base will execute the mission.
The U.S. Air Force began providing protection of Iceland’s airspace in 1951, when a treaty was signed establishing permanent basing there. Though the U.S. has since withdrawn its permanent presence, NATO continues to provide air policing to meet Iceland’s peacetime readiness needs.
In addition to the air policing mission, the Airmen will train on rescue capabilities while in Iceland.
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