A Belgian F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jet takes off from Kleine-Brogel, Belgium, in September 2023. Belgium’s F-16s were deployed to Iceland earlier this month, and formally began their air policing mission this week. (Shutterstock/Alessandro Persiani)

Why Belgian F-16s Are Guarding the High North

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Belgian fighter jets are keeping watch over Iceland this month—a task that NATO members take on a rotating basis, as Iceland lacks an air force.

NATO member Belgium has deployed four of its American-made F-16 Fighting Falcon single-engine multirole jet fighters, along with approximately 100 military personnel to Keflavik Air Base in Iceland as part of NATO’s Icelandic Air Policing mission. It marked the second deployment to the base outside the capital of Reykjavik by Belgian forces this year.

Earlier in the week, the Belgian Air Force formally assumed the Icelandic Air Defense mission, which also supports the international military alliances’ enhanced Vigilance Activity (eVA) Arctic Sentry operations.

Brussels’ F-16s are expected to remain for a month-long deployment.

“Belgian F-16s have touched down in Iceland once again to help safeguard NATO’s airspace,” said the Belgian Icelandic Air Defence detachment commander, Belgian Senior Captain Glenn Hanssen. “During this month-long deployment, they will strengthen NATO’s Arctic air defence and contribute to the Alliance’s collective security.”

The F-16 Fighting Falcon’s Specifications

Year Introduced: 1978

Length: 49 ft 5 in (15.06........

© The National Interest