A resident of northwest Iceland is puzzled as to why fighter jets conducting NATO exercises insist on doing so over areas of protected bird life.
Northwest Iceland news website Bæjarins Bestu reports that numerous fighter jets have been flying about in the area as a part of Iceland Air Meet, when numerous NATO countries bring their aircraft to Iceland to conduct training exercises. However, not all residents are pleased with how the exercises are conducted.
“Foreign air forces seem to enjoy using protected areas of Breiðarfjörður and the inland fjörd area as a practice space for their supersonic jets, even though they don’t have permission to conduct these exercises just anywhere,” writes Ása Björg Stefánsdóttir. “We have asked why it isn’t enough for them to break the sound barrier over the sea, rather than to do so at low altitudes, over one of the most active nesting areas of Iceland’s bird paradise, but have received no answer.”
Ása points out that such exercises over protected nesting areas are forbidden by Icelandic law. She also wondered “from what invading army we’re supposed to be protecting Reykhólahreppur’s people and birds.”
Iceland Air Meet will continue until February 21.
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