USAFE-AFAFRIA airpower in Iceland for Northern Viking 26

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 37th Airlift Squadron, 86th Operations Support Squadron and 86th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, prepare a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft for a flight supporting exercise Northern Viking 26 at Keflavík Air Base, Iceland, Aug. 22, 2026. NV26 builds on 75 years of U.S.-Iceland defense cooperation and strengthens the military readiness that keeps the waterways of the High North open and secure. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Edgar Grimaldo)

USAFE-AFAFRIA airpower in Iceland for Northern Viking 26

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 147th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron perform postflight checks on an MQ-9 Reaper drone assigned to the 147th Attack Wing, Texas Air National Guard, at Keflavík Air Base, Iceland, during exercise Northern Viking 26, Aug. 21, 2026. Maintenance operations sustain aircraft availability and support the rapid employment of forces, strengthening U.S. and Allied combat readiness and interoperability across the North Atlantic. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Edgar Grimaldo)

Northern Viking 2026 strengthens High North readiness

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Alexander Lauher, 86th Operations Support Squadron wing tactics flight chief, checks flight equipment during a mission supporting exercise Northern Viking 26 at Keflavík Air Base, Iceland, Aug. 22, 2026. NV26 builds on 75 years of U.S.-Iceland defense cooperation and strengthens the military readiness that keeps the waterways of the High North open and secure. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Edgar Grimaldo)

Northern Viking 2026 strengthens High North readiness

Four Belgian Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft fly in formation with a U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules aircraft assigned to the 37th Airlift Squadron above glacier-covered terrain in Iceland during exercise Northern Viking 26, Aug. 22, 2026. NV26 builds on 75 years of U.S.-Iceland defense cooperation and strengthens the military readiness that keeps the waterways of the High North open and secure. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Edgar Grimaldo)

USAFE-AFAFRIA airpower in Iceland for Northern Viking 26

Four Belgian Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft fly in formation with a U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules aircraft assigned to the 37th Airlift Squadron over Iceland during exercise Northern Viking 26, Aug. 22, 2026. NV26 strengthens interoperability and force readiness among the U.S., Iceland and Allied nations, enabling multidomain command and control of joint and coalition forces in the Arctic, defending Iceland and safeguarding Air and Maritime domain awareness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Edgar Grimaldo)

USAFE-AFAFRIA airpower in Iceland for Northern Viking 26

A U.S. Air Force MQ-9 Reaper drone assigned to the 147th Attack Wing, Texas Air National Guard, taxis at Keflavík Air Base, Iceland, for exercise Northern Viking 26, Aug. 21, 2026. The MQ-9 provides surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities that enhance situational awareness, strengthen combat readiness and support the rapid employment of U.S. and Allied forces in defense of Iceland and the North Atlantic. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Edgar Grimaldo)

USAFE-AFAFRICA airpower in Iceland for Northern Viking 26

Published Aug. 24, 2026
By Senior Airman Edgar Grimaldo
U.S. Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa Public Affairs

KEFLAVIK AIR BASE, Iceland -- U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 37th Airlift Squadron, 86th Operations Support Squadron and 86th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, prepare a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft for a flight supporting exercise Northern Viking 26 at Keflavík Air Base, Iceland, Aug. 22, 2026. NV26 builds on 75 years of U.S.-Iceland defense cooperation and strengthens the military readiness that keeps the waterways of the High North open and secure. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Edgar Grimaldo)