Military of Iceland
On September 26 2006 the Government of Iceland released a document pertaining Icelandic responses to the withdrawal[1]. It includes plans to found a Security and Defence authority overseeing all such organisations in Iceland, including Police and Coast Guard. Increasing the capabilities of the Coast Guard by purchasing vessels and aircraft, founding a Security or Secret service and establishing a secure communications system spanning the whole country. In addition, MP Magnús Þór Hafsteinsson of the Liberal party has, in agreement with views expressed by Björn Bjarnason Minister of Justice and Ecclesiastical affairs, voiced his party's willingness to raise a standing army. [2][3] [4] Many have campaigned for an Icelandic standing army since the late 19th century, including Iceland's Independence hero Jón Sigurðsson,[8] but except for the attempt in 1940 it has amounted to little.
- See also: History of Iceland
[
Icelandic Crisis Response Unit
Main article: Icelandic Crisis Response Unit
The Icelandic foreign ministry operates an expeditionary military unit called the "Crisis Response Unit" or Íslenska friðargæslan (in English: the "Icelandic Peacekeeping Guard"). It has received military training and equipment from the Norwegian Army, and is manned by civilian specialists, policemen and coast guardsmen. The unit provided support to peacekeeping missions in Kosovo and Afghanistan running the airports in both territories' respective capitals. The unit has also sent military mobile observation teams to northern Afghanistan and civilian observers to Sri Lanka.
In October 2004 three Icelanders were injured in a suicide bomb attack in Kabul. The incident led to tough questioning of the group's commander, Colonel Halli Sigurðsson, focusing on his conduct (the incident apparently occurred while he was on a shopping expedition in an off-limits area) and his exact status. The opposition has accused the government of creating an army by stealth. Icelandic peacekeepers were pictured heavily armed in national papers alongside captions such as "If this is not a soldier then what is?" According to Davíð Oddsson, then foreign minister, the peacekeepers are considered soldiers by NATO and international law, but since they lack sufficient training and are members of no Icelandic standing army, they are, as for Icelandic politics, unbecoming of the title hermaður (soldier).
The Sýslumaður (sheriff) at the Keflavík NATO base also commands an intelligence unit, known as IIS-NATO or the Icelandic Intelligence Service, which is tasked with acquiring intelligence on the Crisis Response Units operational territories.
[
Iceland Air Defence System
Main article: Iceland Air Defence System
Iceland also has a "radar agency" which operates the Íslenska Loftvarnarkerfið ("Iceland Air Defence System"). It was founded in 1987, and operates four radar complexes, a software and support facility and a command and report centre. Like the Íslenska Friðargæslan it is under the auspices of the defence department of the foreign ministry.
[
Coast Guard
Main article: Icelandic Coast Guard
The Icelandic Coast Guard originates back to the 1920s. Its main tasks from its initiation have been to protect Iceland's most valuable natural resource—its fishing areas—as well as provide security, search, and rescue services to Iceland's fishing fleet. In 1952, 1958, 1972, and 1975, the government expanded Iceland's exclusive economic zone to 4, 12, 50 and 200 nautical miles respectively. This led to Iceland's conflict with the United Kingdom, known as the "Cod Wars". The Icelandic Coast Guard and the Royal Navy confronted each other on several occasions during these years. Although few rounds were fired, there were many intense moments between the two nations. The Captains of the Icelandic Coast Guard ships were regarded as heroes and earned their names in the history of Iceland as Iceland's bravest men. This attitude of heroism towards the Coast Guard persists in Iceland.
[
Special Unit of the National Police Commissioner
The Special Unit of the National Police Commissioner, usually called Víkingasveitin (The Viking Squad), is similar to Germany's GSG 9 and Britain's SAS; a well-trained group of operatives. The unit handles security of the state, anti/counter-terrorism projects, security of foreign dignitaries, as well supporting the police forces in the country when needed. The Viking Team is divided into five squads: a bomb squad that specializes in explosives; a boat squad that specializes in operations on sea and water, diving and underwater warfare; a sniper squad that specializes in sniper warfare, entries, and close target reconnaissance; an intelligence squad that specializes in anti-terrorism intelligence, surveillance and infiltration; and an airborne squad that specializes in airplane hijacking operations, skydiving surprise assault operations and port security. Members of the Viking Team were deployed in the Balkans as a part of operations lead by NATO, and some members have been deployed in Afghanistan. The unit used to be under the command of the Reykjavík Chief of Police, but in 2004 a new law was passed that put it directly under the National Police Commissioner. The Viking Squad has approximately 55 members.
[
Possible standing military
Currently, the political tide in Iceland is against the formation of a regular armed force.[citation needed] However due to recent events, such as the U.S. military leaving, the heating tension in Europe with Russia and an important military exercise in August, 2007, the government of Iceland is considering taking steps to create a defense force in Iceland.[citation needed] This would mainly consist of a police-military force to begin with and weaponry received from the Danish military, trained by Norwegian officers.[citation needed] A Gallup poll from May, 2007 showed an increase in Iceland's concern regarding the island's defense and had the support for an Icelandic defense force at 68%.[citation needed] The overall decision for an Icelandic army is still in question.
[
Sources
- ^ A press release from the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- ^ An English translation of the Norwegian-Icelandic MoU at the website of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- ^ Norway Post: Norway and Iceland to sign defence agreement
- ^ Aftenposten: Norway to help defend Iceland
- ^ Danmarks Radio
- ^ Norwegian Defence Forces: Alle gode ting er tre
- ^ A press release from the Icelandic Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
- ^ Jón Sigurðsson, "Um verzlun á Ísland", Ný félagsrit 3. p. 116-117.
- Birgir Loftsson, Hernaðarsaga Íslands : 1170-1581, Pjaxi. Reykjavík. 2006..
- Þór Whitehead, The Ally who came in from the cold : a survey of Icelandic Foreign Policy 1946-1956, Centre for International Studies. University of Iceland Press. Reykjavík. 1998.
- Icelandic Coast Guard.
- Icelandic National Police.
- Iceland Air Defence System.
- Ministry of Justice and Ecclesiastical Affairs.
- Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
[
See also
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||
For more information review our copyright contact and privacy policy.