Perry calls Iceland indispensable to North Atlantic defence

Iceland plays a key role in defending the North Atlantic and is “absolutely indispensable”, Nick Perry, the new commander of NATO’s Joint Force Command Norfolk, told mbl.is. He said NATO is well equipped to meet the threat from Russia but must continue strengthening its readiness.

Perry visited Iceland last week on his first official trip to another NATO member state since taking command. He planned to visit all the countries in the command’s area of responsibility in one trip and said it made sense to begin in Iceland. His priority, he said, was to discuss countries’ priorities and concerns, and understand what support they need to defend themselves.

Joint Force Command Norfolk’s area of responsibility stretches from Florida to the northern parts of Norway and Finland, and from the Tropic of Cancer to the North Pole. It covers operations on land, in the air, at sea, underwater and in space. Perry said it accounts for 80 per cent of NATO’s operational area.

One of NATO’s three joint commands, Norfolk would have a key role in a conflict by safeguarding links across the North Atlantic between North America and Europe, and ensuring reinforcements and supplies could reach potential conflict zones in Europe. Perry said Iceland was central to that task. “I’m not sure how we could gain the understanding we need of what is happening in this important region, and of that connection between North America and Europe, without Iceland,” he said.

Although Iceland has no military of its own, Perry said its contribution to NATO was far greater than its size would suggest. Four Icelanders work at the command in Norfolk, he said, and Iceland provides important infrastructure and facilities for submarine-hunting aircraft, radar and other equipment used to monitor activity in the North Atlantic.

He also described Iceland as an important place for exercises and training in difficult conditions. Perry visited Keflavík Airport and said he was particularly impressed by how well Iceland’s infrastructure was prepared for challenging conditions.