The White Falcon - 10.08.1990, Side 6

Visitors tour the helicopter on board the Polar Star. (Photos by JOC
Terry Bamthouse)
visits Iceland
Coast Guard ship
The United States Coast Guard’s newest icebreaker, Polar Sea
(W AGB-11), pulled into Keflavik for a three-day visit and held an open
house for NATO Base and host nation residents.
Visitors aboard the ship were treated to a tour that included a stop in
the ship’s bridge and flight deck where they were able to see one of the
two Aerospatiale Dolphin (HH-65 A) helicopers that augment the Polar
Sea during polar deployments.
During their stay four Dolphin pilots and one enlisted crewman took
the opportunity to visit with their Icelandic counterparts in the search
and rescue arena, visiting the headquarters of the Icelandic Coast Guard
in Reykavik. They compared the similarities and differences between
their helicopters and exchanged stories about rescue missions.
The Polar Sea’s primary mission is icebreaking and logistics support
to the United States Exploratory Forces in Antarctica and outposts in
Alaska and Greenland. A secondary mission while operating within the
polar regions is scientific research and the collection of data.
Children enjoyed visiting the bridge of the world's most powerful non-
nuclear icebreaker.
The Coast Guard’s newest icebreaker, the Polar Star, held an open
house during their port call in Keflavik. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)
Iceland - U. S. Defense Council met here
(Photo by JOl(AW) Jodelle Blankenship)
The joint Iceland - U.S. Defense Council met on the NATO Base last
week.
The Iceland Defense Force’s official contact with the government of
Iceland is the Iceland-U.S. Defense Council which meets on a regular
basis to identify and resolve issues related to military operations and the
base population.
Current Icelandic members include one senior government official
and four non-government members who are prominent citizens.
Current U.S. members are Rear Adm. Thomas F. Hall, Commander,
Iceland Defense Force; Col. Ronald J. Perkins, Deputy Commander,
Iceland Defense Force; Capt. James I. Munstcrman, Commanding
Officer, U.S. Naval Air Station, Keflavik; Col. William A. Payne,
Commander, Air Forces Iceland; Lt. Cmdr. Charles A. Allen, Staff
Judge Advocate; and Mr. David Rogus, Deputy Chief of Mission for
the U.S. Embassy, Reykjavik. .
Members of the council enjoyed a helicoper ride during thei visiM
(Left to right): Olafur Bjornsson; Dave Rogus, Deputy Chief <9
Mission for the U. S. Embassy in Reykjavik; Arnor Sigurjonsson,
Defense Attache; Pall Jonsson; Gudfinnur Sigurvinsson; Ambassador
Robert Arnason, Co-Chairman of the Iceland - U. S. Defense Council;
Hoskuldur Olafsson; and Rear Adm. Thomas F. Hall, Commander,
Iceland Defense Force.
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The White Falcon