The White Falcon - 01.06.1963, Blaðsíða 1

1963 Miss Iceland Chosen
(■See pictured
on paged 3-4-5J
Volume II, Number 20_U.S. NAVAL STATION, KEFLAVIK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, ICELAND Saturday, June 1, 1963
HavSta History One of Success;
2nd Anniversary This Month
The American forces are in Iceland by agreement with the Icelandic Government and
at the suggestion of NATO. The purpose of the Iceland Defense Force is the defense
of this strategic North Atlantic area.
Prime military base is the U. S. Naval Station, Keflavik, which is located at the
Keflavik International Airport, about 35 miles from Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland.
CAPT. STANLEY E. ELLISON, second Commanding Officer of NavSta
Keflavik, is a veteran of many types of Naval service. Before assuming
command of the Naval Station, he was Special Assistant for Missiles
and Astronautics in the Production Group at the Bureau of Naval
Weapons.
The story of the Naval Station
is best told by going back to the
period of World War II. The out-
break of the war in 1939, made
Iceland’s geographical position
one of great importance. It moni-
tors the sea and air routes be-
tween Europe and North America,
from its vantage point in the
North Atlantic.
U. S. recognition of this strate-
gic importance resulted in a de-
fense agreement between Iceland
and the United States. The agree-
ment was signed on July 1, 1941.
The agreement provided that
American troops be stationed in
Iceland and take over the de-
fense of Iceland from Great
Britain, who had undertaken the
defense of the country after the
Nazi invasions of Denmark and
Norway.
During World War II, Keflavik
Airport was used as a refueling
base for aircraft enroute to and
from Europe. American forces
were based in Iceland from July
of 1941 through April of 1947.
The forces departed Iceland in
accordance with the agreement of
October 7, 1946. This particular
pact also set forth conditions und-
er which the American-built Kef-
lavik Airport would be turned
over to the Icelandic Government.
The U. S. retained the right
to operate the airport, through
civilian contract, in connection
with the support of American
forces in Europe. American Over-
seas Airlines and later Lockheed
Overseas Aircraft Corporation
operated the airport.
Icelandic and American person-
nel, were utilized by Lockheed in
operating Keflavik as an inter-
national civil airport. It serviced
all commercial planes and U. S.
military aircraft that were sup-
porting U. N. forces in Europe,
until September 1, 1951.
As an outgrowth of Iceland’s
membership in NATO, another
agreement with the U. S. was
concluded on May 5, 1951. This
agreement authorized the U. S. to
station troops in Iceland; to pro-
vide for the defense of Iceland;
to increase the security of the
NATO area; and further insure
the successful defense of the U. S.
The first contingents of person-
nel arrived within 48-hours of the
signing of the agreement. These
forces were under the operational
control of the Iceland Defense
Force, which was officially de-
signated a command on July 6,
1951.
The first forces to arrive were
the Army’s 278th Infantry, the
Navy’s Fleet Air Service Squad-
ron 107, and the Air Force’s
1400th Air Base Group.
The 278th Infantry was a Ten-
nessee National Guard unit which
was activated in September, 1950.
When moved to Iceland it was
composed of men from many stat-
es, but mostly from New York
and the New England states.
By the end of October, 1951,
the defense organization had
grown to include an Army Bat-
talion Combat Team, a Navy VP
squadron, a Naval Control of Ship-
ping Office, a tanker, an Air
Force Airways and Air Com-
munications Service, a Weather
Detachment, an Air Rescue Ac-
tivity, and a Postal Squadron.
World events caused changes in
NATO’s defense concepts. This re-
sulted in a reorganization of the
Iceland Defense Force. The 2nd
Battalion Combat Team took its
happy walk up the gangplank of
the USS Crown Block, on March
3, 1960, for transport home-------
their mission completed.
FASRON 107 was de-activated
in July of 1960, and the Naval
Air Facility became its short-
lived successor.
The Naval Air Facility was
decommissioned on June 1, 1961,
and the U. S. Naval Station Kef-
lavik came into being. The first
Commanding Officer was Captain
William R. Meyer, USN.
The mission of the Naval Sta-
tion seems to grow, as do the de-
mands made upon its personnel.
The primary mission of the Naval
Station, is the support of the opera-
tional groups. This includes every
aspect of the very word “support.”
The U. S. Navy has brought
considerable changes into effect.
Much has been done to further
good relations between servicemen
and the Icelandic allies.
Many long and hard days have
resulted in the successful execu-
tion of the missions of Commander
Iceland Defense Force and Com-
mander Barrier Force Atlantic.
The vivid imagination of the
Naval Station’s personnel, and
their willingness to work, are two
of the incalculable reasons for the
advances of the past year. The
Naval Station may be only two
years old, but it has already made
its mark in the pages of history.
IHELMA INGVARSDOTTIR, “Miss Iceland of 1963.” The brown haired
beauty queen will journey to Long Beach, Calif., where she will appear
as Iceland’s entry in the Miss International Contest. Thelma measures
a lovely 36, 23, 36.
Thelma Ingvarsdottir;
Miss Iceland of 1963
By Staff Reporter Tony Farina, JOS A
Thelma Ingvarsdottir, in colorful festivities held the
nights of May 24 and 25, was crowned “Miss Iceland”
of 1963.
The beauty pageant was held in the Hotel Saga, the
newest and most modern hotel in Iceland.
The seven-member judge panel ^
announced the winners at mid-
night on the 25. The judges are
to be highly commended for their
great efforts.
Serving as judges for the con-
test were Dr. Jon Eiriksson, Kar-
olina Petursdottir, Eggert Gud-
mundsson, Olaf Swanson, Sigridur
Gunnarsdottir, Gudmundur Karls-
son and Sigurdur Magnusson.
The entertainment was paced
by the music of Svavar Gests and
his orchestra. The featured vocal-
ists were Anna Vilhjalms and
Berti Moller.
Jon Gunnlaugsson, whose im-
personations shook the huge crowd
with laughter, was probably the
most spectacular single performer.
The 1960 “Miss Iceland,” Sig-
run Ragnarsdottir, was on hand
to crown the winner.
Three lovely models, Palina Jon-
mundsdottir, Thordis Jonsdottir,
and Gudny Amadottir, modeled
the 1963 Carabella fashions, ad-
ding to the already spectacular
pageant.
Top honors went to Thelma
Ingvarsdottir of Reykjavik. The
19-year-old brown haired model
measures a lovely 36, 23, 36. As
top winner, Thelma will journey
to Long Beach, California, as Ice-
land’s entry in the “Miss Inter-
national” contest.
She will also take a three-week
cruise in the Mediterranean aboard
the private yacht, “Lakonia.”
Winning second place honors
was Theodora Thordardottir, also
of Reykjavik. Her official title is
“Miss Reykjavik” of 1963.
The 18 year old beauty will
represent Iceland in the 1963
“Miss Universe” contest at Miami
Beach, and also the “Miss Unit-
ed Nations” contest at Mallorca,
Spain.
Third place went to 19 year
old Sonja Egilsdottir of Reykja-
vik. This tall lovely will be Ice-
land’s contribution in the “Miss
Europe” contest.
The other three finalists were
Gunnhildur Olafsdottir, Maria
Ragnarsdottir, and Johanna I.
(Continued on Page S.)