Ships participate in NK26

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Divers participate in NV26

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Medical personnel NV26

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“Northern Viking 2026 strengthens readiness, interoperability and command and control in the High North,” said Commander, Task Force 68, Capt. Leslie Slootmaker, officer in tactical command. “By working closely with our Icelandic and NATO allies, we are strengthening interoperability and forging readiness across the air, maritime, and land domains in the defense of Iceland and the strategic lines of communication in the Greenland, Iceland, and United Kingdom (GIUK) gap. This exercise demonstrates our [United States] unwavering commitment to Iceland and the security and stability of the North Atlantic, and the challenges of operating in this environment. Undoubtedly, NV26 has demonstrated the trust and interoperability necessary to respond together when it matters most.”

Exercise Northern Viking is designed to strengthen interoperability and force readiness between the U.S., Iceland and other allied nations. The exercise enables critical multidomain command and control of joint and coalition forces defending Iceland and safeguarding the sea lines of communication within waterways between Greenland, Iceland and the United Kingdom. The exercise was conducted across multiple locations in Iceland, with an additional command-and-control element established in Norway.

As a vital shipping corridor, keeping the area secure is imperative for transatlantic trade, commerce and security between North America and Europe. Over the last 75 years, the Alliance between the U.S. and NATO has adapted from Cold War deterrence to modern multidomain defense operations, ensuring that the transatlantic bridge remains open and secure.

“Iceland is proud to support Exercise Northern Viking 2026, which strengthens the ability of Iceland and our Allies to work together to safeguard the North Atlantic,” said Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir, Icelandic Minister for Foreign Affairs. “The GIUK Gap is a vital strategic link between North America and Europe, and maintaining security and freedom of movement across this region is essential to the defence of our nations. Northern Viking demonstrates our shared commitment to vigilance, readiness, and collective defence in the North Atlantic and the High North region.”

Before the exercise began, U.S. Navy Seabees from Naval Construction Battalion (NCB) 22 built an expeditionary “tent city” at Keflavik Air Base, providing temporary lodging and hygiene facilities for more than 100 U.S. Navy personnel.

During the exercise, NCB 22 and NCB 27 also built Arctic Bee Huts, permanent, insulated wood structures designed to withstand harsh Arctic conditions. The huts can be used for lodging and storage.

NCB 27 also conducted rapid airfield damage repair, or RADR, training. The training included assessing damage, clearing debris and repairing runway surfaces to help restore aircraft operations as quickly as possible.

Commander, Task Force 68 and Underwater Construction Team (UCT) One, Construction Dive Detachment Charlie (CDD/C) contingent also operated in Ramsund, Norway, where personnel conducted command and control, dive salvage and survivability training throughout the exercise.

U.S. Navy Expeditionary Resuscitative Surgical System Team 9 demonstrated its “hospital-in-a-box” capabilities in partnership with local hospitals during a mass casualty exercise. ERSS teams provide life-saving surgical care and damage-control resuscitation in remote, austere and combat environments.

Commander, Task Force 66 and the Icelandic Coast Guard conducted bilateral training using the U.S. Navy’s Lightfish unmanned surface vessel. The training helped the two organizations improve their understanding of maritime activity in the Arctic region. The Lightfish is a solar-powered, low-profile vessel designed for long-endurance missions.

U.S. Air Force aircrews flying C-130J Hercules aircraft practiced low-level flight operations and tactical landings in austere environments without established runways.

U.S. Air Force search and rescue personnel also trained with the Icelandic Coast Guard in search and rescue operations at sea and on land using Icelandic Coast Guard Airbus H225 Super Puma helicopters.

This year’s iteration of NV26 marked the 75th anniversary of the 1951 bilateral defense agreement between Iceland and the U.S. The 1951 defense agreement was the foundation of a unique security framework designating the U.S. as responsible for Iceland’s defense in the absence of its own standing military. This treaty established a highly specialized and enduring defense presence in the region.

Northern Viking 26 is a U.S. European Command-directed, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-led exercise executed by U.S. Sixth Fleet. The exercise strengthens interoperability and force readiness among the United States, Iceland and allied nations while preparing participating forces to operate together in the defense of Iceland and the strategic lines of communication across the North Atlantic.