British forces deploy to Arctic island for NATO deterrence

British Royal Marines and Royal Air Force personnel deployed to Norway's remote Jan Mayen island for Operation Atlantic City from August 26 to September 4, 2026. Working with the Royal Norwegian Navy, Norwegian Home Guard and U.S. Marine Corps, the force integrated sensor and communications systems under NATO's Arctic Sentry activity. Jan Mayen lies about 620 miles from mainland Norway in the Norwegian Sea, north of the Greenland-Iceland-United Kingdom gap. The exercise tested allied operations in Arctic conditions and reinforced surveillance, readiness and deterrence along NATO's strategically important northern approaches.