From Iceland — Air Defence Exercises Begin Today

Air Defence Exercises Begin Today

Published June 3, 2011

A series of combined air defence exercises, involving nations from North
America and Europe, begins today, at the cost of the Icelandic
government.
Iceland is a NATO country, but has no military of its own. However,
Iceland does pay yearly dues into NATO, and allows other countries to
conduct exercises in its territory.
DV reports that a series of exercises, called Norður Víkingur 2011, begins today and will continue until 10 June.
These exercises, first begun in 2006 as the result of a
defence agreement between the US and Iceland, involve the efforts of
American, Danish, Italian and Norwegian forces. Some 450 troops will be
taking part, with the use of 16 jets and three military ships.
The intended cost on the part of the Icelandic government – and
Icelandic taxpayers – was at about 36 million ISK, but it is now
expected that it may cost around 29 million ISK.

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