No doubt Iceland didn't want to be the target of Russian missiles. The Brits should begin negotiations for a military base there. I mean even Russia has been known to attend conferences in Iceland. The pathetic aspect of this is that Iceland deployed troops to assist the USA as an ally. Bush is a jerk ! They can't be left without a defense force. They are a benign, little country considered to be part of Europe. Enough already. Iceland is not wealthy either. The USA should be ashamed of itself.
U.S. to Remove Military Forces And Aircraft From Iceland Base
By Josh WhiteWashington Post Staff WriterFriday, March 17, 2006; Page A14
The United States plans to withdraw four Air Force fighter jets and a rescue helicopter squadron from its military base in Iceland by September, a move that will leave the island nation with virtually no military defenses and that has caused diplomatic tension between the two NATO allies.
Bush administration officials told Icelandic leaders this week that the United States would remove the F-15 fighter jets and several helicopters from Keflavik Naval Air Station, a base that has provided for Iceland's security since 1951 as part of a bilateral agreement. The base was first used as an air bridge to Europe during World War II and later played a role in deterring the advance of the Soviet Union during the Cold War, when the U.S. military patrolled Icelandic airspace and conducted anti-submarine missions in the North Atlantic.
By Josh WhiteWashington Post Staff WriterFriday, March 17, 2006; Page A14
The United States plans to withdraw four Air Force fighter jets and a rescue helicopter squadron from its military base in Iceland by September, a move that will leave the island nation with virtually no military defenses and that has caused diplomatic tension between the two NATO allies.
Bush administration officials told Icelandic leaders this week that the United States would remove the F-15 fighter jets and several helicopters from Keflavik Naval Air Station, a base that has provided for Iceland's security since 1951 as part of a bilateral agreement. The base was first used as an air bridge to Europe during World War II and later played a role in deterring the advance of the Soviet Union during the Cold War, when the U.S. military patrolled Icelandic airspace and conducted anti-submarine missions in the North Atlantic.
