Czech Air Force protects Iceland's airspace
02.06.2025 / 12:48 | Aktualizováno: 02.06.2025 / 12:53
On May 31, the Czech Air Force officially took over the Air Policing mission in Iceland. As the country does not have its own army, NATO Allies take turns in Air Policing. This is already the fourth time that the Czech Air Force is performing this task, following its previous successful Air Policing missions in Iceland in 2014-16.
The Czech contingent is using JAS-39 Gripen aircraft again. Five of them took off from the Čáslav air base on May 22 and during the following week they were being prepared to officially take over the operational task. The fighters will operate in Iceland for five weeks. The Czech contingent consists of 95 personnel, mostly from the 21st Tactical Air Base in Čáslav, supplemented by several specialists from other units and commanded by one of the most experienced pilots from the Čáslav base, Lt. Col. Vladimír Málek, the current commander of the 211th Tactical Squadron.
The main objective of Air Policing in Iceland is to ensure sufficient situational awareness and security in this important part of NATO airspace. Not only because Iceland does not have its own army, but also because of its strategic geographical location, the Allies maintain a periodic presence of fighter aircraft based at Keflavík airbase in agreement with the Icelandic authorities. "The JAS-39C Gripen fighter aircraft will maintain a presence on alert within the NATO Integrated Air and Missile Defence System (NATINAMDS) to maintain the integrity and security of the Alliance's airspace. In the performance of the operational task, the pilots will not only intervene against aircraft that do not comply with the established rules of international air traffic and that are approaching or have already entered allied airspace, but will also participate in training and maintaining the capabilities of the Icelandic CRC (Control and Reporting Centre) flight instructors, who cannot use their own air force to do so," informed Major General Jaroslav Míka, Deputy Commander of the Czech Armed Forces Operations Command.
The deployment of Czech Air Force in Iceland is another proof of the reliability and readiness of the Czech Army to fulfil its commitments within the NATO collective defence. Thanks to the experience from previous missions, professional approach and thorough preparation, the Czech contingent is fully prepared to ensure the security of the Alliance's airspace and at the same time contribute to strengthening cooperation with Allies in the North Atlantic.
Czech Air Force protects Iceland's airspace
Czech Air Force protects Iceland's airspace