US begins Icelandic Air Surveillance and Policing 2015

Photo By Staff Sgt. Chad Warren | U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. John Stratton, 871st Air Expeditionary Squadron commander, speaks to deployed personnel at Keflavik, Iceland, in support of Icelandic Air Surveillance and Policing operations April 13, 2015. Four F-15C Eagle fighter aircraft from Royal Air Force Lakenheath, a KC-135 Stratotanker from RAF Mildenhall and approximately 200 U.S Airmen are deployed in support of IAS 2015 to ensure the safety and security of Icelandic airspace. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Chad Warren/Released)  

KEFLAVIK, ICELAND

04.13.2015

Story by Staff Sgt. Chad Warren 

52nd Fighter Wing

KEFLAVIK, Iceland - The 871st Air Expeditionary Squadron began the Icelandic Air Surveillance and Policing mission Friday, April 17 at Keflavik International Airport, Iceland.

Part of an ongoing NATO commitment in the region, IAS is a recurring mission designed to help keep Icelandic airspace safe and secure.

Since 2008, Keflavik has hosted NATO partner nation aircraft in support of this mission. Iceland does not maintain its own military force, so the U.S. and other NATO allies periodically rotate through Keflavik to maintain the integrity and security of Iceland's airspace.

"We've been honoring these commitments with our partners here in Iceland for a long time," said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. John Stratton, commander of the 871st Air Expeditionary Squadron. "It's an extremely important relationship, an extremely important partnership and a very, very important mission we do. I trust we will continue to do it extremely well."

Personnel and equipment deployed in support of IAS include four F-15C Eagle fighter aircraft from Royal Air Force Lakenheath, a KC-135 Stratotanker from RAF Mildenhall and approximately 200 U.S Airmen from various bases throughout the European region.

• Date Taken: 04.13.2015
• Date Posted: 04.27.2015 10:46
• Story ID: 161366
• Location: KEFLAVIK, IS