Three fighter jets landed at Iceland’s Keflavik airport and NATO military base yesterday evening and three more are expected later today. The air cover for Iceland had to be swiftly re-arranged because the Canadian Forces Air Command decided to send the team originally earmarked for Iceland on a mission to Libya.
Canada has just taken over responsibility for Icelandic airspace under the NATO arrangement which sees allied nations take turns to patrol the air above Iceland. Air forces often also take the opportunity to use Iceland for exercises, as the NATO member country has the relevant equipment and ground crews despite not having a military of its own.
Before the three F-18 fighters arrived yesterday, Canada had already sent personnel, tools and equipment to Iceland. Later today one more F-18 will arrive, along with a P-3 aircraft used for aerial re-fuelling.
Some 150 personnel accompany the planes and will be staying at the Keflavik base over the coming weeks. As well as patrolling, the Canadians also plan to conduct exercises and landing practice at Keflavik, Akureyri and Egilsstadir.
The Icelandic Coastguard recently took over from the Icelandic Defence Agency, which held ultimate responsibility for Icelandic airspace, RUV reports.
The coastguard reports that the current Canadian mission had to be swiftly reorganised when it came to light the originally scheduled aircraft and crew would be sent on the NATO no-fly zone enforcement mission to Libya.
(Photos of German aircraft used for illustration purposes only: not directly related to the story)
[…] Iceland air support sent to Libya, Canada rearranges cover … Apr 4, 2011 … Yes, the P-3 (CP-140 Aurora in Canadian Service) is NOT used for Air to Air Refueling. … […]
[…] Temporarily: Three fighter jets landed at Iceland’s Keflavik airport and NATO military base yesterday evening [April 3] and three more are expected later today. The air cover for Iceland had to be swiftly re-arranged because the Canadian Forces Air Command decided to send the team originally earmarked for Iceland on a mission to Libya. Canada has just taken over responsibility for Icelandic airspace under the NATO arrangement which sees allied nations take turns to patrol the air above Iceland. Air forces often also take the opportunity to use Iceland for exercises, as the NATO member country has the relevant equipment and ground crews despite not having a military of its own. […]
[…] Ops (1) – Canada backfills fighters to ensure Iceland has air cover now that CF-18′s are in Libya. “Three fighter jets landed at Iceland’s Keflavik airport and NATO military base yesterday […]
Yes, the P-3 (CP-140 Aurora in Canadian Service) is NOT used for Air to Air Refueling. The CP-140 is a Maritime Patrol and Anti Submarine Aircraft.
Since both CC-150 (Airbus A310) Strategic Air to Air Refueling (AAR) Aircraft are currently being used to enforce the No Fly Zone over Libya – The actual Aircraft being used in Iceland is a KCC -130H Hercules Tactical AAR Tanker from 435 Squadron in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Another important factual discrepancy : P3 (known in Canada as the CP-140 Aurora) is not used for aerial refueling. The Aurora is a maritime patrol aircraft used for surveillance and/or anti-naval warfare. Canada does in fact have aerial refueling capabilities in the form of CC-130 Hercules tactical airlift, as well as the CC-150 Polaris.
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[…] Iceland air support sent to Libya, Canada rearranges cover Three fighter jets landed at Iceland’s Keflavik airport and NATO military base yesterday evening and three more are expected later today. The air cover for Iceland had to be swiftly re-arranged because the Canadian Forces Air Command decided to send the Read more at IceNews – Daily News […]
Thank you, Kris; the information has been updated!
Alex, IceNews editor
Just as a fact check, there is no longer a Royal Canadian Air Force. In 1968 the three branches of the Canadian military were merged into the Canadian Forces and the RCAF was disbanded.