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USAFE-AFAFRICA, ANG leadership visit IAS mission

A U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagle fighter aircraft assigned to the 104th Fighter Wing, Barnes Air National Guard Base, Mass., is refueled by a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 916th Air Refueling Wing, Air Force Reserve Command, Seymour Johnson, N.C., over Iceland while conducting Icelandic Air Surveillance operations, April 9, 2016. Missions like the IAS showcase the U.S. Air Force’s global presence in deterring potential threats and bringing peace and stability to allied nations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Kevin Nichols/Released)

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USAFE-AFAFRICA, ANG leadership visit IAS mission

Robert Barber, U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Iceland, shows his approval of Icelandic Air Surveillance operations while flying with the 916th Air Refueling Wing, Air Force Reserve Command, Seymour Johnson, N.C., over Iceland, April 9, 2016. Barber observed refueling operations from the boom pod of the KC-135 and spoke to Airmen about Iceland’s appreciation in conducting the IAS mission ensuring security for the United States and NATO. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Kevin Nichols/Released)

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USAFE-AFAFRICA, ANG leadership visit IAS mission

Two U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagle fighter aircraft assigned to the 104th Fighter Wing, Barnes Air National Guard Base, Mass., fly alongside a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker from the 916th Air Refueling Wing, Air Force Reserve Command, Seymour Johnson, N.C. after taking fuel in the skies over Iceland while conducting Air Surveillance operations. Deterrence missions such as this communicates that the U.S. is serious about security and stability in the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Kevin Nichols/Released)

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USAFE-AFAFRICA, ANG leadership visit IAS mission

U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Scott Rice, Adjutant General, Massachusetts National Guard, watches the refueling of a U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagle fighter aircraft from the boom pod of a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 916th Air Refueling Wing, Air Reserve Command, Seymour Johnson, N.C., April 9, 2016. The Airmen deployed to Iceland in support of Icelandic Air Surveillance operations are a total force structure combining efforts to maintain a global presence in Europe. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Kevin Nichols/Released)

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USAFE-AFAFRICA, ANG leadership visit IAS mission

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Andrew Stewart, boom operator, assigned to the 916th Air Refueling Wing, Air Reserve Command, Seymour Johnson, N.C., controls the boom of a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker conducting refueling missions over Iceland during Icelandic Air Surveillance operations April 9, 2016. The KC-135 can carry a maximum transfer fuel load of 200-thousand pounds and keeps the mission fueled to be able to respond quickly to support and defend allies if needed. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Kevin Nichols/Released)

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USAFE-AFAFRICA, ANG leadership visit IAS mission

A U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 916th Air Refueling Wing, Air Force Reserve Command, Seymour Johnson, N.C., flies over the snow-capped glaciers of Iceland while conducting refueling efforts during Icelandic Air Surveillance operations, April 9, 2016. The U.S. Air Force’s forward presence in Europe allows the U.S. to work with allies to ensure regional security in the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Kevin Nichols/Released)

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Total Force Airmen support IAS, TSP missions

Published April 12, 2016
By Staff Report
52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- Four F-15C Eagle fighter Aircraft assigned to the 131st Fighter Squadron deployed April 3, 2016, from Barnes Air National Guard Base, Massachusetts to Keflavik, Republic of Iceland, as part of a local theater security package.

Entering their second year of involvement in TSP, the Air National Guard and F-15s will take part in the Icelandic Air Surveillance mission to maintain the security of Icelandic airspace by providing a fighter aircraft presence in the region. Iceland does not maintain its own military force, but rather U.S. and NATO allies secure its airspace with periodic rotations through Keflavik.

"It offers reassurance to our partners in NATO and deterrence to those who would not be our friends," said Robert Barber, U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Iceland. "The Icelanders are very appreciate that we have these rotation missions throughout the year. And it's an important demonstration of the NATO alliance."

After a reduction in forces in Europe over the last 25 years, combined participation of active duty, National Guard, and Reserve forces in the TSP serves as an integral part of maintaining a global presence.

"It's very important for us to have these rotational forces to come here and operation out of all the airfields we once had a presence in," said Maj. Gen. Eric Vollmecke, ANG Mobilization Assistant to the commander. "This is a great example where we have active duty units from Spangdahlem and Ramstein help provide base operating support. We have Air National Guard units here with their pilots and maintainers, but we also have SFS here from the Reserves... It's a great total force effort."

Alongside the four F-15C Eagle Fighter aircraft, forces deployed in support of IAS include a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 916th Air Refueling Wing, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, and the maintenance team of the 104th Maintenance Group, Barnes Air National Guard Base, Massachusetts.