Posted on 07/21/2006 7:45:21 AM PDT by managusta
Like the servicemembers, many knew there could come a day when the base would be reduced, but few thought this fall was it.
Valthor Jonsson, maintenance division director for public works at the base, said he had intended to finish his working life at Keflavik.
"That was my plan," he said. "I've been here 32 years. I don't know anything else."
About one-third of Jonsson�s local employees are over 60 years old, and he said he worries for their futures. Few will be able to make as much money on the local economy as they do at the base.
Still, Icelandic employees said the market in the area and around nearby Reykjavik is good at the moment, and those who received termination letters got them almost immediately after the announcement, allowing them time to search for work.
"This base was a good employer," Jonsson said. "Everybody's been hoping this would last longer. We realize it's a changing world."
This is old news. Iceland like most of Europe can afford no defense since they have us patrolling the Atlantic, Europe, and Mediteranean. Who can actually threaten them?
When we leave everyone wants us...when we're there they want us gone. In all fairness to Iceland though, they have always wanted us...
The US military has done "goodwill" postings before...perhaps we should rethink our exit from Iceland.
May 12, 2007. Iceland was conquered today by two longboats full of Vikings. "How could I have been so wrong last year about not expecting anyone to attack us," said Icelandic Defense Minister Espen Barth Eide.
Iceland welcomes their new Viking overlords.
Damn, I never realized that Iceland was so small. 300,000 people? I have more in my county than their country.
Do islands have borders?
Hire Swiss mercenaries ... it works for the Pope.
"Valhalla, I am coming."
"We have no military tradition, and I think it would be very difficult politically to get the public here interested in developing that kind of capability, and spending the required resources on it."
I suggest they hire a couple of hundred thousand muslims to serve as their armed forces.
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The guys in clown suits? In Iceland their red tassles would get all frozen . . . |
It is tragic that the Iceland Prime Minister would claim his nation has "no military tradition." The sagas say otherwise, but that was so long ago..., when men were men in Scandinavia.
"Always wanted us" ? Well, pretty much, but they didn't want us fraternizing with the population, just protecting them.
They may look silly, but they are well-trained military men.
Weren't their ancestors the Viking overlords?
I believe they are called beaches.
You better get one or some country will wind up ruling over you in a heartbeat.
Argentina has a fascination with islands. I wonder if they would like to own a piece of the North Atlantic.
Let them whine. A member of NATO should be expected to contribute something towards its own defense.
They could just have Bjork sing, the sound alone would drive any invader away.
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