Home Europe Iceland hosts US submarine, amphibious task group for Northern Viking drill

Iceland hosts US submarine, amphibious task group for Northern Viking drill

Northern Viking 2022 exercise logo
Photo: US Navy

Iceland hosted multiple allied nations in kicking off the US Sixth Fleet-led exercise Northern Viking 2022 (NV22) in Keflavik, Iceland, on April 2.

Participating NATO allied nations include France, Germany, Iceland, Norway, Portugal, the United Kingdom and the United States. Just over 700 participants are expected to take part in the exercise in Iceland, around half of whom will be situated at Keflavik air base.

US Navy and Marine Corps forces taking part include the USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) amphibious ready group / 22nd marine expeditionary unit, P-8A maritime patrol aircraft from Keflavik air base, the Henry J. Kaiser-class underway replenishment oiler USNS Patuxent (T-AO-201), sailors from Task Force 68 and the Virginia-class attack submarine USS John Warner (SSN 785).

The exercise will include an amphibious landing of US marines at Miðsandur in the Hvalfjörður fjord. Other evolutions will include expeditionary and construction capability, search and rescue, and humanitarian assistance with forces demonstrating skills in events across multiple domains, climates, and vignettes to enhance interchangeability and interoperability.

The participants will also practice the search and rescue of civilians, with the Icelandic Coast Guard and police.

“The strong relationship between the US and Iceland, especially in the maritime, dates back more than 70 years,” said Vice Adm. Gene Black, Commander, US Sixth Fleet. “We look forward to operating side-by-side with our Icelandic Allies while enhancing professional relationships and improving overall coordination with Allied Nations.”

The Northern Viking exercise has been held since 1982 and is based on the provisions of the 1951 defense agreement between Iceland and the United States. The exercise was originally scheduled to take place in early 2020, but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are ready to host once again the Northern Viking exercise with our American counterparts here in Iceland,” said Thórdís Kolbrún Reykfjörd Gylfadóttir, Iceland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs. “We enjoy a strong and enduring relationship with the United States and we look forward to a highly successful event.”

Northern Viking is set to conclude on April 14.