U.S. Air Force says NATO tested combat readiness in increasingly contested Arctic during 11-nation Northern Viking 26 operations

Exercise Northern Viking 26 concluded in Iceland on 3 September after nine days of training involving the United States, Iceland, and forces from nine other allied nations. Air, maritime, mine-countermeasure, engineering, and search-and-rescue activities tested joint command and control, readiness, and the defense of Iceland and the Greenland-Iceland-United Kingdom gap. Participating aircraft and ships rehearsed protection of strategic transatlantic routes, reinforcing interoperability and deterrence in the increasingly important North Atlantic and Arctic operating environment. The exercise was led by United States Naval Forces Europe-Africa headquarters.