What could be a connection between Czech Republic and Iceland? Firstly, both of those countries are NATO members. Secondly, Icleland does not have an army and most important – the air force. That is why NATO countries are participating in the NATO air policing mission over Iceland. The Czech Air Force were the last participant of the mission from the beginning of October till November this year.

The Czech Air Force has completed a month-long NATO air policing mission in the skies over Iceland. The Nato’s ‘Airborne Surveillance and Interception Capabilities to Meet Iceland’s Peacetime Preparedness Needs’ mission was conducted by four SAAB JAS-39 Gripen multirole fighters.

During almost all of the 150 flight hours, the crews had been monitoring airborne objects, practising low-flight manoeuvres over the sea, and carrying out joint exercises with the naval forces of the NATO countries. The Gripen fighter planes were equipped with medium range air-to-air missile (AMRAAM) which increases their intercepting capabilities.