Posted on 03/16/2006 12:33:55 PM PST by knighthawk
REYKJAVIK, Iceland — The United States, which has long provided Iceland with its only military force, has decided to withdraw most of its service members and all of its fighter jets and helicopters from the country later this year, the U.S. ambassador said Thursday.
Iceland's government, which had recently offered to pay some of the cost of its defense to try to keep U.S. forces here, said it regretted the decision.
In an interview with The Associated Press, U.S. Ambassador Carol van Voorst said she and Nicholas Burns, the U.S. under secretary of state, had told Prime Minister Haldor Asgrimsson and Foreign Minister Geir H. Haarde of the unilateral decision on Wednesday.
(Excerpt) Read more at chron.com ...
Its location served a purpose during the cold war.
Hey, we were snowed in two days ago and re-watched Arnold in "Total Recall" on DVD (no one wanted to go out and brush off the satellie dish). In addition to the three boobs, we love the scene were one of the Olsen twins jumps up on the bar and sprays the room with full auto fire. (OK, OK, I know it really wansn't one of the Olsen twins...)
That threat to the GIUK could materialize at any time. It is shortsighted IMHO to leave it open in todays world.
Does this mean we have to close "The Brass Nut?"
Our boys sure do keep some of these countries afloat.
IcelandAir has a pretty cool offer that a few of my friends have taken advantage of:
"Icelandair has always offered cheap flights to Iceland but now only lcelandair gives you the opportunity to visit Europe's hottest destination, lceland, on your way to or from Scandinavia, Great Britain or Continental Europe for up to seven nights! And best of all, you pay NO ADDITIONAL AIRFARE!"
If I can ever get some time off, I would consider a stopover but the wife hasn't warmed to the idea. She met two of their "Air Hostesses" in Mexico and one felt the top of her Bikini was too "restrictive" - neither were wearing much fabric anyway. We were on a catamaran in the Gulf - Me, the wife, the guy who owned the boat and those two. I bet I still have bruises from where my other half kept hitting me.
I think they're part of NATO.
I have nothing against Iceland, but we shouldn't have our troops over there.
US troops are in over 100 countries.
This is INSANE!
I don't think Iceland is near any sea lanes, except those that go to Iceland.
Look at a map.
By your logic, we have no rational reason for any military installations within the continental U.S.
What is the credible threat to Kansas?
Maybe you need to rethink the issue, or at least your analysis of the issue.
Russia, while not communist now, still has vestiges of the old school there and still can exert influence not necessarily favorable to us (ie. with Iran and China). The French and or Germans could also become positioned against us. Even more likely, the Islamic threat and ultimately the Chinese threats could find their way into Europe over the years.
For any eventual contingency or eventuality, we should hold tightly and strongly to Iceland IMHO.
This is INSANE!
Sure cuts down on the transportation costs. Imagine if you had to pack them up and ship them out every time you needed them. The waste of time and packing materials alone would be tremendous.
Do female Icelanders always stand tilted at a 45 degree angle?
Iceland is very strategically positioned to protect and defend...or threaten...all of the North Atlantic sea lanes. It is a very vital piece of real estate.
We wouldn't have that problem if we didn't send them out all over the place to do jobs others should do.
Well since the U Boat threat is gone, maybe we should re-think our Military in Iceland policy.
We defend other countries, while thousands of illegals pour over the borders every single day.
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