NATO’s Air Policing mission in Iceland by the Spanish Air and Space Force ‘Stinga’ comes to an end

• In its first deployment in this European country, more than 120 Spanish airmen and six EF/A-18M Hornet fighters have guaranteed the security of its airspace and completed more than 200 flight hours

At 23:59 on 16th August, the Spanish Air and Space Force ‘Stinga’ Tactical Air Detachment based at Keflavik Air Base, Iceland, completed its first deployment within the framework of NATO Air Policing mission in Iceland (ASIC IPPN – Iceland’s Peacetime Preparedness Needs).

During this Spanish deployment over a month, six F-18 fighter jets from the 15th Wing, together with more than 120 airmen, carried out continuous operations in the Artic Region to ensure the security of Icelandic airspace, as well as protecting civilian aircraft, always in accordance with the NATO’S demanding standards of response and readiness.

Throughout the mission, the contingent has carried out numerous training and interception sorties, including coordinated escort with the United States Air Force of three B-1B strategic lancer bombers in transit to Europe. Joint air training missions have also been conducted with Spanish air traffic controllers stationed at the NATO Control and Reporting Centre (CRC), located at the Keflavik Air Base. These activities have enabled the interaction between Spanish air controllers and pilots, strengthening coordination and interoperability between the two teams.

In addition, exercises of Close Air Support (CAS) flights with Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTACs) from the contingent itself and simulated interceptions with allied aircraft and flights in changing weather conditions typical of the region have been carried out.

Institutional activities

In addition to air operations, the deployment of the ‘Stinga’ tactical air detachment has also included multiple cooperation activities with institutions and the local community.

• Official visits by Icelandic military and civil authorities, as well as NATO representatives and the Spanish Embassy in Iceland.

• Meetings with the local media, which allowed the Icelandic citizens to discover the work of the Spanish air force in the defence of their airspace.

- Professional exchanges, such as visits by military medical units to emergency and rescue centres in Reykjavik, or technical training for mechanics regarding the maintenance of the F-18 landing gear.

- Social activities with allied detachments and Icelandic personnel of the air base, with Canadian, American and Icelandic Coast Guard units deployed at the base.

Fellowship and return to Spain

On Friday, 15th August, the farewell ceremony for the Spanish airmen of the ‘Stinga’ Detachment was held at Keflavik Air Base. The ceremony was attended by members of the Spanish Embassy in Iceland, Icelandic civil and military authorities, NATO representatives and personnel from the air base, who showed gratitude to the Spanish military contingent for their work and professionalism, while highlighting the outstanding execution of the mission and the close collaboration maintained with local forces.

At 11:59 on 16th August, the Belgian Air Force took over the operation, where six F-16s are deployed and will continue the mission of doing surveillance in the Icelandic airspace.

In total, the Spanish detachment has completed more than 200 flight hours, including the initial transfer from Zaragoza to Iceland and the return missions.

The six F-18 hornet fighters will return to Zaragoza Air Base on a direct flight from Iceland, which will include an in-flight refuelling, thus completing the first phase of the withdrawal. With this mission, Spain demonstrates its contribution to collective defence and security in the NATO region, reaffirming its commitment to its Allies and its capability to operate in highly demanding environments that are not within its national territorial scope.

‘We have completed Spain's first mission in Iceland,’ said Lieutenant Colonel Rafael Ichaso Franco, Commander of ‘Stinga’ tactical air detachment, ‘and we are all very proud to have brought our commitment and operational capabilities to this country in the service of the security of the entire allied space. Without a doubt, none of this would have been possible without our pilots, and, on the same level to our air traffic controllers and our maintenance, force protection, communications and medical personnel. Thanks to the professionalism, dedication and enthusiasm of all of them, we are returning home with the satisfaction of having fulfilled our duties’.