The White Falcon - 07.01.1994, Qupperneq 2

future of U.S. forces in Iceland
United States and Iceland^-
continue on set course
“Agreed Minute ” reinforces 1951
bilateral Defense Agreement
By JOC Dave Marr
Nearly a year and a half of bilateral security consultations
between the U.S. government and the government of Iceland
(GOI) came to fruition Tuesday with the signing of an “Agreed
Minute” in Reykjavik.
During the morning meeting at the Hotel Holt, Deputy Secretary
of Defense Dr. William J. Perry and Iceland’s Minister for Foreign
Affairs J6n Baldvin Hannibalsson drafted and later signed the
Agreed Minute. It reaffirms the commitment of the United States,
Iceland and their NATO allies to the 1951 bilateral Defense
Agreement.
The two governments have reached an understanding to make
certain adjustments in the military forces in Iceland as a result of
the changed world situation in recent years and the ever changing
world affairs environment. Specifically, the United States and
Iceland have reached an understanding on the following points:
- To reduce the number of Air Force fighter aircraft operating
permanently at NAS Keflavfk from its current number of 12 (now
assigned to the 57th Fighter Squadron) to a minimum of four in
order to retain an active air defense capability based in Iceland;
- To maintain at Keflavik the capability and infrastructure for
the operation of fighter aircraft;
- To maintain the search and rescue squadron (now the 56th
RQS)
- To maintain NAS Keflavfk;
- To maintain the Iceland Air Defense System;
- To continue the biennial Northern Viking series of exercises;
- To discontinue operations of the Naval Security Group
Activity in March, 1994.
“We had a very productive, cordial meeting this morning,” con-
veyed Perry following the consultations. “We reached an agree-
ment on how we’ll adjust our forces in the years to come, and
most importantly, how we will continue to work together in joint
consultation on all issues affecting the U.S. forces in Iceland.”
Perry went on to say that the world continues to be a dangerous
one, and it requires the presence of significant U.S. military capa-
bilities in Iceland, including air defense capabilities.
“Taking these factors into account, we believe, and the Icelandic
government agrees, that it will be appropriate to reduce the size of
the F-15 force at NAS Keflavfk, but maintain what we call an
active air defense system - sufficient aircraft that can maintain an
alert at all times and be capable of detecting and intercepting any
aircraft that might present an intrusion on Icelandic air space," he
continued.
Hannibalsson echoed Perry’s sentiments at the end of the con-
sultations and added that the discussions characterized “the long-^
standing, special relationship between Iceland and the United
States, which is and will remain a true partnership.” ^
Rear Adm. Michael D. Haskins, the commander of the Iceland
Defense Force, was quick to point out that the meeting dismissed
any further rumors about the future of American forces in Iceland.
“The Agreed Minute lays to rest the speculation that the base in
Iceland is going away ...,” he said. “The 1951 bilateral agree-
ment between the United States and the Government of Iceland re-
mains as strong as it ever has, and the base at Keflavfk continues
to be strategically important.”
Specific details of how changes in operations at Keflavfk will
affect military units, military manning and Icelandic civilian
personnel remain to be worked out by the services in the ensuing
months.
Spokesmen for both governments said that Tuesday’s decisions
set the course for at least the next two years. They look forward to
working together on a continuing basis, reevaluating military op-
erations as world events dictate in support of the 1951 bilateral
Defense Agreement.
The White Falcon
Commander, Iceland Defense Force
Rear Adm. Michael D. Haskins
Public Affairs Officer
Lt. Cmdr. Joseph L. Quimby
Deputy Public AfTairs Officer
Fridthor Kr. Eydal
Leading Chief Petty Officer
JOC Dave Marr
Editor
JOl David W. Crenshaw
Journalists
J02(AW) Natalie Dias
J02 Carlos Bongioanni
J03(SW) Andreas Walter
Staff Yeoman
YN3 Darrell Thomas
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