August 27, 2025 (by Lieven Dewitte) - The Belgian Air Component (BAC) has officially taken command of a crucial air policing mission over strategic Icelandic airspace, deploying a contingent of F-16s to Keflavik Air Base.
This rotational deployment underscores Belgium’s commitment to NATO’s collective defense and highlights the vital role of Iceland's location at the heart of transatlantic air and sea routes.

Iceland, a NATO member without its own standing air force, relies on allied nations to secure its airspace, a critical component of the so-called Greenland-Iceland-UK (GIUK) gap. This strategic chokepoint is key to controlling access to the North Atlantic. For a minimum of one month, the BAC will maintain continuous patrols, ready to respond to any potential threats.

Operating under the 2nd Tactical Wing from Florennes Air Base, the Belgian F-16s are on high alert, prepared for quick-reaction missions (QRA). According to the detachment commander, potential threats are typically identified 2-3 hours before they might enter Icelandic airspace, allowing crews to be airborne in less than 15 minutes. "Protecting NATO airspace between Iceland, the United Kingdom, and Canada is a strategic priority," the commander stated.

This deployment comes at a pivotal time for the Belgian Air Component, which is undergoing a major modernization of its fleet. The service is in the process of replacing its legacy F-16s with the next-generation Lockheed Martin F-35A stealth fighter. Belgium has already received eight F-35As, which are currently stationed in the United States to train the first cohort of Belgian pilots and maintenance personnel. A recent announcement from Brussels indicated a plan to order 11 more F-35As, which would bring the total commitment for the type to 45 aircraft.