Airmen Deploy to Iceland to Protect NATO Airspace

More than 200 airmen from units in Europe and the continental United States arrived at Keflavik International Airport, Iceland, on a rotation to protect the NATO partner’s airspace. “We are committed to supporting NATO by conducting air surveillance and policing missions to contribute to its collective defense,” said Lt. Col. Lendy Renegar, who commands this contingent, the 48th Air Expeditionary Group, in a Nov. 6 release. The last elements of the group touched down in Keflavik on Nov. 4. The expeditionary unit includes airmen from RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall, Britain; Ramstein AB and Spangdahlem AB, Germany; Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz.; Robins AFB, Ga.; and Tinker AFB, Okla., states the release. It includes F-15Cs from Lakenheath and C-130J transport and KC-135 tanker support from Ramstein and Mildenhall, respectively. The F-15s will stand on alert to intercept, identify, and escort unauthorized aircraft approaching Iceland’s airspace, states the release. (Keflavik report by A1C Dana J. Butler)