F-16s out, Gripens in as Sweden takes over Nato air policing role in Iceland

Six JAS 39 Gripen aircraft have touched down in Iceland as Sweden takes over the Nato air policing role in the Nordic nation for the first time.

The arrival of the jets marked the 55th such rotation for Iceland, and the first for the Swedish air force and its Skaraborg Air Wing F 7.

The contingent, which has been reinforced by personnel from elsewhere in the Swedish air force, consists of just over 110 members and replaces the Belgian air force's 350th Fighter Squadron and its F-16AM Fighting Falcons.

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Good to contribute

"We have been planning this operation for a long time, and it feels both interesting and important given the current international security situation," explained the contingent commander, Lieutenant Colonel Johan Legardt.

"The mission is aimed at the collective defence of Icelandic airspace, and it feels good to be able to contribute."

The contingent has been preparing for an extended period in the country.

Following the unit's arrival in Iceland, work has been intensive to ensure that everything functions as intended.

Sweden is stepping up as a new member of Nato on the northern flank, having joined the alliance in March 2024.

One of its key areas of interest is the Arctic, and the personnel and warplanes of Skaraborg Air Wing F 7 will be carrying out their air policing role from now until the middle of March.

Back home in Sweden, Flygflottilj 7 is a wing-level formation that includes several squadrons flying the Gripen along with engineering and maintenance units, base defence and support units, training and logistics and the airfield's command structure.

Its Royal Air Force equivalent would be somewhere like RAF Coningsby or RAF Marham.