First group of Czech military personnel departs for Iceland

The first group of Czech military personnel will depart for Iceland from the Čáslav military airbase on Monday, to prepare conditions for a new Gripen fighter jet mission. Czech-operated jets will guard the airspace above Iceland for the course of one month, taking over from Canada's Air Force. The Czechs, who have guarded Iceland’s airspace before, were asked by NATO to return. Four planes will fly missions, while one craft is being kept in reserve. Activities by Russian planes near Iceland are said to have increased, underlining the need for the country, which lacks its own air force, to protect its airspace.

Author: Jan Velinger