Free Republic

Historically, the base was important because during the Cold War, as today, Soviet (now Russian) subs belonging to the Northern Fleet made their way from their bases into the North Atlantic via the GUIK Gap. Once the base was closed in 2006, NATO and the U.S. essentially abandoned their ability to track Russian subs operating in the region. But then, Russian sub activity in the North Atlantic had been reduced to a fraction of what it was during the Cold War. Today, that’s not the case: Moscow has begun to operate in the North Atlantic much more frequently, especially as...

10/13/2006 | 12:07 US military returns to Iceland The USS WASP, a 40,000-ton US navy multipurpose amphibious assault ship, pulled a shore in Reykjavík harbor yesterday. “The purpose of this visit is to show support,” Lt. Commander George Segal told icelandreview.com. Phil Kosnett, of the US Embassy in Iceland, added that the visit is in junction with the agreement between the two countries, signed last Wednesday in Washington. Lt. Commander Segal said Icelanders could expect more visits in the future to show that the US military will protect the country even in the absence of a military base.  The USS...

10/12/2006 | 12:06 Gorbachev in Iceland Former Soviet General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev came to Iceland yesterday in relation to the 20th anniversary of his meeting with former US President Ronald Reagan. The summit was held in Höfdi House in Reykjavík on 12 October 1986. At the occasion, the world leaders reached a turning point in the discussion of disarmament, Gorbachev told the Icelandic media. The former Soviet leader said the summit had been a success as it showed the world that the leaders of East and West were serious about reaching an agreement. He feels it is important to Icelandic...

The people of Iceland are about to join one of the world's smallest clubs - those nations without armed forces on their territory to defend their borders. The United States, which had assured Iceland's defence for decades, stunned the country in March when it announced that it would be closing its bases on the island, withdrawing its F-15 fighters and thousands of servicemen in the space of just six months. This bombshell was dropped in a single telephone call from an underling at the State Department, followed by a letter from the US ambassador. Iceland, with just 300,000 people scattered...

07/11/2006 | 10:17 Americans walk out after Speech by Icelandic Member of Althingi Representatives of the United States walked out from a meeting of Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Parliamentary Assembly after Icelandic member of Althingi, Dagný Jónsdóttir, criticized how the US had notified Icelandic authorities that the American base in Keflavík would be closed. Fréttabladid reports on the speech this morning. Dagný especially noted the short notice with which the American base would be closed. (On March 15 US deputy secretary of state, Nicholas Burns, had phoned the then Icelandic Foreign minister, Geir Haarde, and informed...

6/15/2006 - ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England (AFPN) -- The first two HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters from the 56th Rescue Squadron arrived here from Naval Air Station Keflavik, Iceland, via a C-17 Globemaster III June 12 and 13. With the closure of NAS Keflavik, five aircraft and many operators and maintainers are moving here as part of the realignment of the Iceland-based units. “We’re thrilled to welcome the Airmen from the 56th to RAF Lakenheath,” said Brig. Gen. Robert P. Steel, 48th Fighter Wing commander. “Although they’ve been a part of our wing for about a year as a geographically...

Icelanders will not force the US to maintain its military presence should they wish withdraw said prime minister Halldór Ásgrímsson at a meeting of the central committee of the Progressive Party Friday night. According to the Icleandic National Broadcasting Service, Halldór said that the US needed to speak clearly and take the initiative on Iceland's defenses. He said that Icelanders would not tolerate the status quo. He plans closer cooperation with the European nations. He said he was not hopeful that a solution regarding the defense issues would be found in the coming months. The prime minister said it was...