NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Military of Iceland

When the Kingdom of Iceland was recognized as a fully sovereign state in 1918, its parliament proclaimed perpetual neutrality and that it would not have a flag of war. [1] This policy was abandoned, in 1949 as it had failed to provide security, when the Republic of Iceland became a founding member of NATO, although it did so on the explicit understanding that Iceland, which has not had an army since 1869, would not be expected to establish an indigenous force. Provisions for such forces had been made in the Icelandic constitution from 1874 until 1995. Nonetheless the government is still legally authorized and obligated to form ad-hoc national defence forces if and when necessary, as any other action would be considered treason by Iceland's Penal Code (Hegningarlög) from 1940[2] and violate a number of other laws. Image File history File links Skjaldarmerki. ... Image File history File links Logreglustjarna. ... BjÃ¶rn Ãrnason, the first policeman on ÃsafjÃ¶rÃ°ur (1895). ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (2059x2460, 973 KB) Summary The landvÃ¦tta logo used from 2001 until replaced in 2005. ... Coat of arms of the Icelandic Coast Guard Naval Ensign of the Icelandic Coast Guard The Icelandic Coast Guard is a branch of Icelands military. ... Image File history File links ICRU.pngâ€Ž [edit] Summary Beret insignia of the Icelandic Crisis Response Unit. ... Icelandic Crisis Response Unit Mobile Observation Team in Afghanistan. ... Image File history File links Skjaldarmerki. ... Map of the Radar Stations of RatsjÃ¡rstofnun, centrepieces of the Icelandic Air Defence System The Iceland Air Defence System or Ãslenska LoftvarnarkerfiÃ° was founded in 1987. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (2059x2460, 973 KB) Summary The landvÃ¦tta logo used from 2001 until replaced in 2005. ... Image File history File links Logreglustjarna. ... Image File history File links Logreglustjarna. ... Image File history File links Skjaldarmerki. ... Image File history File links ICRU.pngâ€Ž [edit] Summary Beret insignia of the Icelandic Crisis Response Unit. ... Image File history File links Skjaldarmerki. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (2059x2460, 973 KB) Summary The landvÃ¦tta logo used from 2001 until replaced in 2005. ... The United States dollar is the official currency of the United States. ... Image File history File links Skjaldarmerki. ... Image File history File links ICRU.pngâ€Ž [edit] Summary Beret insignia of the Icelandic Crisis Response Unit. ... Image File history File links Skjaldarmerki. ... Image File history File links Logreglustjarna. ... Image File history File links Icelandic_army. ... Image File history File links Icelandic_army. ... Icelandic Crisis Response Unit Mobile Observation Team in Afghanistan. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Icelandic Crisis Response Unit Team in Afghanistan Officers of the defence force in a trench on VaÃ°laheiÃ°i in 1940. ... Capital ReykjavÃk Language(s) IcelandicÂ¹, DanishÂ¹ Government Constitutional monarchy King - 1918-1944 KristjÃ¡n X Prime Minister (last five) - 1927-1932 Tryggvi ÃžÃ³rhallsson - 1932-1934 Ãsgeir Ãsgeirsson - 1934-1942 Hermann JÃ³nasson - 1942 Ã“lafur Thors - 1942-1944 BjÃ¶rn ÃžÃ³rÃ°arson Legislature Parliament Historical era Interwar period - Kingdom established... 1918 (MCMXVIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. ... Year 1949 (MCMXLIX) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the military alliance. ... 1869 (MDCCCLXIX) is a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar) of the Gregorian calendar or a common year starting on Sunday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar. ... The present Constitution of Iceland was first made in 1944, on 17th of June. ... Year 1874 (MDCCCLXXIV) was a common year starting on Thursday (link with display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Saturday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Year 1995 (MCMXCV) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full 1995 Gregorian calendar). ... Look up Ad hoc in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Criminal Code. ... Year 1940 (MCMXL) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full 1940 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Iceland's main contribution to the NATO defence effort, during the Cold War was the rent-free provision of the "agreed areas"—sites for military facilities. By far the largest and most important of these was the NATO Naval Air Station Keflavík, manned by American, Canadian, Danish, Norwegian and Dutch personnel. Units from these and other NATO countries also are deployed temporarily to Keflavík, and they stage practice operations. Many of these practices were anti-submarine warfare patrols, but these exercises were halted when the P-3 ASW aircraft were withdrawn from Keflavík. For other uses, see Cold War (disambiguation). ... For the civil airport use of this facility, see KeflavÃk International Airport United States Naval Air Station Keflavik (NASKEF) is a former NATO facility at KeflavÃk International Airport, Iceland. ... KeflavÃk on the Reykjanes peninsula of Iceland KeflavÃk is a town of around 10,200 inhabitants in the Reykjanes region in southwest Iceland (64Â°01â€²N 22Â°34â€²W). ... The Lockheed P-3 Orion is a maritime patrol aircraft of numerous militaries around the world, used primarily for maritime patrol, reconnaissance, and anti-submarine warfare. ... Anti-submarine warfare is a term referring to warfare directed against submarines. ...

Iceland and the United States regarded the U.S. military presence since World War II as a cornerstone to bilateral foreign/security policy. The presence of the troops was negotiated under a treaty known as the Agreed Minute. Talks about the American presence were restarted as of 2005, since the U.S. government was keen on deploying its troops and equipment to parts of the world with more pressing need for them. Proposals by the Icelandic government included a complete Icelandic takeover of the Airbase, as well as replacing the Pavehawk rescue helicopter unit with a detachment from the aeronautical half of the Icelandic Coast Guard, in exchange for the continued stationing of the four F-15C interceptors in Keflavík. On March 15, 2006 the U.S. government announced that the Iceland Defense Force would be withdrawn by the end of September 2006. The last American troops left on September 30, handing control of the Keflavík base over to the Sheriff of Keflavík airport, who will be in charge of it on behalf of the Ministry for foreign affairs. Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki TÅjÅ Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000... The Agreed Minute is a statute governing the nature of the U.S. military presence in Iceland. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Coat of arms of the Icelandic Coast Guard Naval Ensign of the Icelandic Coast Guard The Icelandic Coast Guard is a branch of Icelands military. ... The McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle is an all-weather, extremely maneuverable, tactical fighter designed to permit the U.S. Air Force to gain and maintain air superiority in aerial combat. ... is the 74th day of the year (75th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... An American HH-60 Pavehawk working with the Icelandic Coast Guard. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 273rd day of the year (274th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... SÃ½slumaÃ°ur is an office or title created in Iceland when it submitted to the King of Norway in 1262-1264. ...

On September 26 2006 the Government of Iceland released a document pertaining Icelandic responses to the withdrawal[3]. It includes plans to found a Security and Defence authority overseeing all such organisations in Iceland, including Police and Coast Guard. Increasing the capabilities of the Coast Guard by purchasing vessels and aircraft, founding a Security or Secret service and establishing a secure communications system spanning the whole country. In addition, MP Magnús Þór Hafsteinsson of the Liberal party has, in agreement with views expressed by Björn Bjarnason Minister of Justice and Ecclesiastical affairs, voiced his party's willingness to raise a standing army. [4][5] [6] Many have campaigned for an Icelandic standing army since the late 19th century, including Iceland's Independence hero Jón Sigurðsson,^[1] but except for the attempt in 1940 it has amounted to little. is the 269th day of the year (270th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... CGI impression of the new ship The UT 512L OPV design is a Rolls Royce design for a new Icelandic Coast Guard ship which is set to replace the aging V/s Ã“Ã°inn. ... A Member of Parliament, or MP, is a representative elected by the voters to a parliament. ... MagnÃºs ÃžÃ³r Hafsteinsson (born 29 May 1964) is an Icelandic MP and vice-chairman of the Liberal Party (FrjÃ¡lslyndi flokkurinn). ... The Liberal Party (FrjÃ¡lslyndi flokkurinn) is a liberal party in Iceland. ... BjÃ¶rn Bjarnason, Minister of Justice and Ecclesiastical Affairs. ... Einar Jonssons statue of Jon Sigurdsson in Reykjavik. ... Year 1940 (MCMXL) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full 1940 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

In addition, the Government of Iceland contributes financially to NATO's international overhead costs and recently has taken a more active role in NATO deliberations and planning. Iceland hosted the NATO Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Reykjavík in June 1987 and participates in biennial NATO exercises entitled "Northern Viking" in Iceland; the most recent exercises were held in 2001. In 1997 Iceland hosted its first Partnership for Peace (PfP) exercise, "Cooperative Safeguard," which is the only multilateral PfP exercise so far in which Russia has participated. Another major PfP exercise was hosted in 2000. Iceland has also contributed ICRU peacekeepers to SFOR, KFOR and ISAF. Location in Iceland Coordinates: , Constituency ReykjavÃk North ReykjavÃk South Government - Mayor (BorgarstjÃ³ri) VilhjÃ¡lmur Ãž. VilhjÃ¡lmsson Area - City 274. ... Year 1987 (MCMLXXXVII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link displays 1987 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 2001 (MMI) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 2001 Gregorian calendar). ... For the band, see 1997 (band). ... Partnership for Peace is a NATO project aimed at creating trust between NATO and other states in Europe and the former Soviet Union. ... Year 2000 (MM) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full 2000 Gregorian calendar). ... Icelandic Crisis Response Unit Mobile Observation Team in Afghanistan. ... Members of the Dutch, French, German and U.S. military watch as an Italian honour guard hoists the new Stabilisation Force flag during the Stabilisation Force (SFOR) activation ceremony in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, on the 20 of December 1996 Pocket badge of the SFOR The Stabilisation Force (SFOR) was... For other uses, see KFOR (disambiguation). ... Logo of ISAF. Pashto writing: Ú©Ù…Ú© Ùˆ Ù‡Ù…Ú©Ø§Ø±ÛŒ (Komak wa Hamkari) means Help and Cooperation. International Security Assistance Force (10) (ISAF) is the name of a NATO-led security and development mission in Afghanistan, which consists of about 35,500 personnel as of May 31, 2007. ...

In April, 2007, it was announced that Norway and Denmark had signed memorandums of understanding with Iceland, regarding surveillance, rescue and military operations the the North Atlantic. Norwegian special forces, naval and coast guard vessels and Norwegian fighter and reconnaissance planes will participate in visits, exercises and other defence activities in Iceland and in Icelandic airspace. ^[2]^[3] Danish naval vessel are also no longer required to report every crossing into Icelandic territorial waters. Icelandic Coast Guard will help Danish authorities in Greenland with rescue operations and take part in limited naval maneuvers with the Norwegian navy. ^[4]^[5]^[6] Yearly military exercises are also slated to continue under Icelandic command. In the 2007 North Viking exercise both the Icelandic Coast Guard and the Special task force of the national commissioner participated with military detachments from America, Norway, Denmark, Latvia and NATO. ^[7] Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ...

History

The Settlement and the Civil War

In the period from the settlement of Iceland, in the 870s, until it became part of the realm of the Norwegian King, military defences of Iceland consisted of multiple chieftains (Goðar) and their free followers (þingmenn, bændur or liðsmenn) organised as per standard Nordic military doctrine of the time in expeditionary armies such as the leiðangr. The armies being divided into units by the quality the warriors and birth. At the end of this period the number of chieftains had diminished and their power had grown to the detriment of their followers. This resulted in a long and bloody civil war known as Sturlungaöld in the 13th century. During and before the war more than 21 fortresses and castles were built. Image File history File links HakonTheOldAndSon-Flateyjarbok. ... Image File history File links HakonTheOldAndSon-Flateyjarbok. ... The Flatey Book, (in Icelandic the FlateyjarbÃ³k Flat-island book) is one of the most important medieval Icelandic manuscripts. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... SturlungaÃ¶ld (English: The Age of the Sturlungs or The Sturlung Era) was a 42-44 year period of civil war in mid 13th century Iceland. ... Fortifications (Latin fortis, strong, and facere, to make) are military constructions designed for defensive warfare. ... For other uses, see Castle (disambiguation). ...

The average battle consisted of little less than 1000 men with the average casualty rate of 15%. This low casualty rate has been attributed to the blood-feud mentality that permeated Icelandic society which meant that the defeated army could not be slaughtered honourably to a man. As well as the requirements of Christianity to get a pardon from a cleric for each fiend smitten, which resulted in only people of low class taking care of executions. While executions after battle were not common, they were extensive when they happened. This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

Amphibious operations were important part of warfare in Iceland in this time, especially in the Westfjords, while large naval engagements were not common. The largest of which was an engagement of a few dozen ships in Húnaflói known as Flóabardagi. One side employing smaller longships as well as boats and the other large Knaars, other larger merchant ships and ferries. Although neither side expected to do battle at sea, the battle was fought in a fairly standard way for the time, the ships being bound together, starting with archery and rock throwing, then spear hurling and ending in a melee all over the fleet, ships being exchanged by each side many times. It has been suggested that Landing operation be merged into this article or section. ... A naval battle is a battle fought using ships or other waterborne vessels. ... Location of HÃºnaflÃ³i in Iceland HÃºnaflÃ³i is a large bay between Strandir and SkagastrÃ¶nd in Iceland. ... FlÃ³abardagi (English: Battle of the Gulf) was a naval battle which took place on June 25, 1244 off the coast of Iceland during the SturlungaÃ¶ld civil war. ... The Oseberg longship (Viking Ship Museum, Norway) Oseberg longship from the front, one of the most stunning expressions of Norse art and craftsmanship A longship tacking in the wind Longships were ships primarily used by the Scandinavian Vikings and the Saxons to raid coastal and inland settlements during the European... Model of a Knaar A knaar (plural: knaarer) is a type of Norse merchant ship famously used by the Vikings from the 9th century. ... Archery is the practice of using a bow to shoot arrows. ... For other uses, see Spear (disambiguation) and Spears (disambiguation). ... For other meanings of the term, see melée (disambiguation). ...

At first the chieftains relied primarily on peasant levies but as the war progressed and Norwegian military influences became more pronounced, their personal retinues expanded and became more professional. At the end most of the chieftains had been slain and only one of the original chieftains who started the war remained. It had nonetheless become evident that no one chieftain was powerful enough to vanquish all the others and ensure peace. Which led the Icelandic betri bændur (better farmers or farmer leaders) of the South, North and Western Iceland to submit to the Norwegian crown on Alþingi in 1262. Two years later in 1264 the Lords of Eastern Iceland, the Svínfellingar, submitted as well, but the Eastfjords had completely escaped the ravages of war, mostly because of its geographical barriers of wastelands, mountains and glaciers. The Althing (Modern Icelandic AlÃ¾ingi; Old Norse AlÃ¾ing) is the national parliament: literally, the all-thing (or General Assembly) of Iceland. ... Events Strasbourg becomes a Free City of the Holy Roman Empire First Visconti become the lord of Iceland swear fealty to the king of Norway, bringing an end to the Icelandic Commonwealth Births Ladislaus IV of Hungary Deaths Monarchs/Presidents Aragon - James I King of Aragon and count of Barcelona... A contemporary monument to the Battle of Lewes, a crucial 1264 battle in the Second Barons War in England. ... The SvÃnfellings (or SvÃnfellingar) were a family clan in the medieval Icelandic Commonwealth. ... Austurland (also known as AustfirÃ°ir: Eastfjords) is a region in eastern Iceland. ... Wasteland can refer to: Look up wasteland in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... For other uses, see Mountain (disambiguation). ... This article is about the geological formation. ...

In Union with Norway

Peace barely ensued as the Norwegian King had little capacity to enforce his will over the Atlantic Ocean, his navy, although the most powerful Atlantic navy at the time was too small to carry big enough invasion force all the way to Iceland. The native Nobles continued to maintain their elite troops, which were called sveinalið while the sýslumenn (sheriffs), most of which were noble descendants of the chieftains, maintained soldiers or sveinar for the defence duties that had been delegated to them by law. But all inhabitants of a sýslumaður´s fief was obligated to follow them as well in battle against invaders. Image File history File linksMetadata Haakon_Magnussens_segl-013. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Haakon_Magnussens_segl-013. ... Haakon V Magnusson was king of Norway from 1299 until 1319. ... SÃ½slumaÃ°ur is an office or title created in Iceland when it submitted to the King of Norway in 1262-1264. ... Under the system of feudalism, a fiefdom, fief, feud or fee, consisted of heritable lands or revenue-producing property granted by a liege lord in return for a vassal knights service (usually fealty, military service, and security). ...

The king rarely asked for expeditionary forces to help defend Norway, although Icelanders in Norway had been obligated to help Norwegian defences since the early 12th century. There are however a few documented occasions of Icelandic expeditionary armies coming to the king's aid.

As the church became more powerful its bishops and priests became more militant, at the peak of its power the two bishops could command armies consisting of over 6% of Iceland's total population. The Bishop's own sveinar could expect to become priests after their military service. The two bishops became de-facto Ecclesiastical Counts or Kirkjugreifar, responsible for law enforcement and overall command of military defences. Icelandic noblemen became wary of the Bishops powers in the late 15th century and protested. During the 15th century, when English traders and fishermen started to come to Iceland, it became a common practice among chieftains to buy cannons for defence against foreign ships and for internal conflicts. Other firearms, such as the hand gonne, known as haki or hakbyssa in Iceland, became popular as well. Look up De facto in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... A count is a nobleman in most European countries, equivalent in rank to a British earl, whose wife is also still a countess (for lack of an Anglo-Saxon term). ... LeiÃ°arhÃ³lmsskrÃ¡ was an agreement and an open letter to the King, named officials and the whole public, signed by 26 Icelandic chieftains in 1513, protesting ecclesiastical encroachment. ... For other uses, see Cannon (disambiguation). ... Hand gonnes from the Historisches Museum, Bern Hand gonne being fired from a stand, Belli Fortis, manuscript, by Konrad Kyeser, 1400 The gonne, hand gonne or hand cannon, as it was called, was the first handheld, portable firearm. ...

The coming of Lutheranism

Since the king of Denmark had embraced Lutheranism in the early 16th century he had campaigned to convert his realms from Catholicism to Lutheranism. In the 1540s it was Iceland's turn. Lutheran bishop was elected as the bishop of Skálholt diocese and bitter feud ensued. Although the bloodshed didn't come close to the Civil War fought in the 13th century it was still considerable as the bishops fielded armies of thousands, and even fought at Alþingi. In a bid to isolate Skálholt, Iceland's last Catholic bishop Jón Arason of Hólar diocese attempted to cut its lines of communications to the Westfjords by invading the lands of Daði Guðmundsson í Snóksdal. Although initially successful in capturing Sauðafell he was later defeated by Daði's army and captured with his sons. Jón Arason and his sons were then transported to Skálholt and then beheaded. Danish mercenary force mostly consisting of Landsknechts arrives a year later to support the conversion. Although no open warfare continued, the Danish king was still wary of an insurrection and ordered the destruction of all Icelandic arms and armor. Further mercenary armies, consisting of Landsknechts, are sent to carry out these orders over the next years. After that starts a period where Royal Danish forces are responsible for the defence of Iceland. The Royal Dano-Norwegian Navy patrols the coasts of Iceland, but mostly to prevent illegal trading rather than piracy. Some Icelandic sheriffs, however, manage to continue to maintain considerable retinues, especially in the Westfjords, where the Landsknechts were not as thorough in their search. Image File history File links Svenska_hillebarder_(1500-talet),_Nordisk_familjebok. ... Image File history File links Svenska_hillebarder_(1500-talet),_Nordisk_familjebok. ... This article or section cites very few or no references or sources. ... Lutheranism is a major branch of Protestant Christianity that identifies with the teachings of the sixteenth-century German reformer Martin Luther. ... â€œCatholic Churchâ€ redirects here. ... SkÃ¡lholt in winter SkÃ¡lholt (Old Icelandic: SkÃ¡laholt) is an historical site situated in the south of Iceland at the river HvitÃ¡. The village SkÃ¡lholt consists only of a relatively big church and a few houses. ... Pope Pius XI blesses Bishop Stephen Alencastre as fifth Apostolic Vicar of the Hawaiian Islands in a Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace window. ... The Althing (Modern Icelandic AlÃ¾ingi; Old Norse AlÃ¾ing) is the national parliament: literally, the all-thing (or General Assembly) of Iceland. ... JÃ³n Arason (1484-1550) was an Icelandic bishop and poet. ... HÃ³lar is a small community, with a population of around 100, located in the SkagafjÃ¶rÃ°ur district of northern Iceland, some 379km from ReykjavÃk. ... The Westfjords in Iceland. ... Landsknecht. ... Insurrection could refer to: * in a general sense, it means Rebellion * it is also a title of a Star Trek film, see Star Trek: Insurrection ... Landsknecht. ... The Royal Danish-Norwegian Navy or The Common Fleet was the naval force of the united kingdoms of Denmark and Norway from 1509 to April 12, 1814. ... The Westfjords in Iceland. ...

This lack of weaponry among Icelanders made them more vulnerable to pirate attacks than before, although in some places, such as the aforementioned Westfjords, Icelanders managed to massacre foreign pirates. Icelandic officials complained about this in letters to the king and as a result many halberds were sent to Iceland by Royal edict. The halberd, known as atgeir or arngeir in Icelandic, became a signature weapon of Icelandic farmers. The king remained wary of the Icelanders, and refused to supply them with firearms. As most of the pirates were well armed with such weapons it made defences difficult. However some old guns and cannons still remained and could be used against their ships. Look up pirate and piracy in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... This article or section cites very few or no references or sources. ... An edict is an announcement of a law, often associated with monarchism. ...

In 1627 Icelanders were shocked at the inability of the Danish forces to protect them against raiders from Barbary who murdered and kidnapped a large amount of people. In some places Danish troops fled from these Muslim raiders, but the Captain (Höfuðsmaður) of Iceland, who was the highest ranking military officer and overall governor of Iceland, managed to defend Bessastaðir by hastily building fortifications and damaged one of the raiding ships severely with cannon fire. Some Icelanders were nonetheless angered that he didn't sink the ship despite it being stuck for 24 hours on a reef in front of the fortifications. As a result Icelanders formed local militias with the king's blessing in places such as Vestmannaeyjar. For other meanings, see Barbary Coast (disambiguation). ... This image shows us the church of BessastaÃ°ir in the front and the Presidental residence in the back. ... Lebanese Kataeb militia A Militia is an organization of citizens to provide defense, emergency or paramilitary service, or those engaged in such activity. ... Location of Vestmannaeyjar in Iceland (lower left) County Vestmannaeyjar Constituency South Area 13 kmÂ² ( 8,1miÂ²) Population Total (2003) Density 4349 334/kmÂ² Postal codes IS-900 Latitude Longitude Municipal website Cliffs on Heimaey, Vestmannaeyjar Off the southwest coast of Iceland Vestmannaeyjar (English: The Westman Islands) is a small archipelago...

18th and 19th centuries

In the decades before the Napoleonic wars, the king declared his intention to send considerable amount of money to arm the Icelandic militias with muskets. However, his pledges were not fully fulfilled and in 1799 the few hundred militia-men in the South West of Iceland were mostly equipped with rusty and mostly obsolete Medieval weaponry, including 16th century halberds. When English raiders arrived in 1808, after sinking or capturing most of the Danish-Norwegian Navy in the Battle of Copenhagen, the amount of gunpowder in Iceland was so low that it prohibited all efforts of the governor of Iceland, Count Trampe, to provide any resistance. Image File history File links GunnfÃ¡ni. ... Image File history File links GunnfÃ¡ni. ... Image File history File links FIAV_001000. ... // Origins The practice of carrying standards, to act both as a rallying point for troops, and to mark the location of the commander, is thought to have originated in Egypt some 5,000 years ago. ... Combatants Austria[1] Portugal Prussia[1] Russia[2] Sicily Spain[3] Sweden United Kingdom[4] French Empire Holland Italy Naples [5] Duchy of Warsaw Bavaria[6] Saxony[7] Denmark-Norway [8] Commanders Archduke Charles Prince Schwarzenberg Karl Mack von Leiberich JoÃ£o Francisco de Saldanha Oliveira e Daun Gebhard von... Muskets and bayonets aboard the frigate Grand Turk. ... Year 1808 (MDCCCVIII) was a leap year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a leap year starting on Wednesday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... The Royal Danish-Norwegian Navy or The Common Fleet was the naval force of the united kingdoms of Denmark and Norway from 1509 to April 12, 1814. ... Combatants United Kingdom Denmark Commanders James Gambier Ernst Peymann Casualties 42 killed, 145 wounded, 24 missing[1] 5,000 soldiers and militia[1] The Second Battle of Copenhagen, (16 August - 5 September 1807) was a British attack on the civilian population of Copenhagen in order to seize the Danish fleet. ... Smokeless powder Gunpowder is a pyrotechnic composition, an explosive mixture that burns rapidly, producing volumes of hot gas which can be used as a propellant in firearms and fireworks. ...

In 1855, the Icelandic Army was reestablished by Andreas August von Kohl the sheriff in Vestmannaeyjar. In 1856, the king provided 180 rixdollars to buy guns, and a further 200 rixdollars the following year. The sheriff became the Captain of the new army, which become known as Herfylkingin, "The Battalion."
In 1860, von Kohl dies, and Pétur Bjarnasen takes over the command. Nine years later Pétur Bjarnasen died before appointing a successor, and the army falls into disarray. Year 1855 (MDCCCLV) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian Calendar (or a common year starting on Saturday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Location of Vestmannaeyjar in Iceland (lower left) County Vestmannaeyjar Constituency South Area 13 kmÂ² ( 8,1miÂ²) Population Total (2003) Density 4349 334/kmÂ² Postal codes IS-900 Latitude Longitude Municipal website Cliffs on Heimaey, Vestmannaeyjar Off the southwest coast of Iceland Vestmannaeyjar (English: The Westman Islands) is a small archipelago... The Rigsdaler was the unit of currency used in Denmark until 1873 and in Norway until 1816. ... 1860 is the leap year starting on Sunday. ...

Independent Iceland

In 1918 Iceland regained sovereignty as a separate Kingdom ruled by the Danish king. Iceland established a Coast Guard shortly after, but financial difficulties make establishing a standing army impossible. The government hoped that a permanent neutrality would shield the country from invasions. But at the onset of Second World War, the government, becoming justifiably nervous, decided to expand the capabilities of the National Police (Ríkislögreglan) and its reserves into a military unit. Chief Commissioner of Police Agnar Kofoed Hansen had been trained in the Danish Army and he moved swiftly to train his officers. Weapons and uniforms were acquired and near Laugarvatn they practiced rifleshooting and military tactics. Agnar barely managed to train his 60 officers before the United Kingdom invaded Iceland on May 10, 1940. The next step in this army building move was to train the 300 strong reserve forces but the invasion effectively stopped it. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Mushroom cloud from the nuclear explosion over Nagasaki rising 18 km into the air. ... BjÃ¶rn Ãrnason, the first policeman on ÃsafjÃ¶rÃ°ur (1895). ... Laugarvatn is a lake in the south of Iceland. ... The Invasion of Iceland, codenamed Operation Fork, was a British military operation conducted by the Royal Navy and the Royal Marines during World War II. The invasion began with British troops disembarking in ReykjavÃk, capital of neutral Iceland in the early morning of May 10, 1940. ... is the 130th day of the year (131st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1940 (MCMXL) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full 1940 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Icelandic Crisis Response Unit

Main article: Icelandic Crisis Response Unit
Image File history File links ICRU.pngâ€Ž [edit] Summary Beret insignia of the Icelandic Crisis Response Unit. ... Image File history File links ICRU.pngâ€Ž [edit] Summary Beret insignia of the Icelandic Crisis Response Unit. ... Icelandic Crisis Response Unit Mobile Observation Team in Afghanistan. ... Basque style Beret Black beret with military emblem A beret (pronounced in English, except in North America where it is pronounced ) is a soft round cap, usually of wool felt, with a flat crown, which is worn by both men and women. ... Icelandic Crisis Response Unit Mobile Observation Team in Afghanistan. ...

The Icelandic foreign ministry operates an expeditionary military unit called the "Crisis Response Unit" or Íslenska friðargæslan (in English: the "Icelandic Peacekeeping Guard"). It has received military training and equipment from the Norwegian Army, and is manned by civilian specialists, policemen and coast guardsmen. The unit provided support to peacekeeping missions in Kosovo and Afghanistan running the airports in both territories' respective capitals. The unit has also sent military mobile observation teams to northern Afghanistan and civilian observers to Sri Lanka. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1138x1600, 193 KB) Summary Colonel LÃ¡rus Atlason,Commander KAIA, From ISAF Press release: http://www. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1138x1600, 193 KB) Summary Colonel LÃ¡rus Atlason,Commander KAIA, From ISAF Press release: http://www. ... This article or section needs copy editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone and/or spelling. ... Kabul International Airport (IATA: KBL, ICAO: OAKB) also known as Khwaja Rawash Airport is located 16 kilometers (9 miles) from downtown Kabul, Afghanistan. ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ... Ranks Norwegian military ranks The Norwegian Army (Norwegian: HÃ¦ren) is Norways military land force. ... For other uses, see Kosovo (disambiguation). ...

In October 2004 three Icelanders were injured in a suicide bomb attack in Kabul. The incident led to tough questioning of the group's commander, Colonel Halli Sigurðsson, focusing on his conduct (the incident apparently occurred while he was on a shopping expedition in an off-limits area) and his exact status. The opposition has accused the government of creating an army by stealth. Icelandic peacekeepers were pictured heavily armed in national papers alongside captions such as "If this is not a soldier then what is?" According to Davíð Oddsson, then foreign minister, the peacekeepers are considered soldiers by NATO and international law, but since they lack sufficient training and are members of no Icelandic standing army, they are, as for Icelandic politics, unbecoming of the title hermaður (soldier). October 2004 : January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September - October - November - December See also: October 2004 in sports Events Deaths in October â€¢ 29 HRH Princess Alice â€¢ 25 John Peel â€¢ 24 James Cardinal Hickey â€¢ 23 Robert Merrill â€¢ 19 Paul Nitze â€¢ 18 K. M. Veerappan â€¢ 16 Pierre Salinger â€¢ 10 Christopher... For other places with the same name, see Kabul (disambiguation). ... This article or section may contain original research or unverified claims. ... This article is about the military alliance. ... This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ...

The Sýslumaður (sheriff) at the Keflavík NATO base also commands an intelligence unit, known as IIS-NATO or the Icelandic Intelligence Service, which is tasked with acquiring intelligence on the Crisis Response Units operational territories.

Iceland Air Defence System

Main article: Iceland Air Defence System Map of the Radar Stations of RatsjÃ¡rstofnun, centrepieces of the Icelandic Air Defence System The Iceland Air Defence System or Ãslenska LoftvarnarkerfiÃ° was founded in 1987. ...

Iceland also has a "radar agency" which operates the Íslenska Loftvarnarkerfið ("Iceland Air Defence System"). It was founded in 1987, and operates four radar complexes, a software and support facility and a command and report centre. Like the Íslenska Friðargæslan it is under the auspices of the defence department of the foreign ministry. Image File history File links Iceland_Radar_stations. ... Image File history File links Iceland_Radar_stations. ... For other uses, see Radar (disambiguation). ... Year 1987 (MCMLXXXVII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link displays 1987 Gregorian calendar). ... For other uses, see Radar (disambiguation). ... Computer software (or simply software) refers to one or more computer programs and data held in the storage of a computer for some purpose. ...

Coast Guard

Main article: Icelandic Coast Guard
Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 Ã— 599 pixelsFull resolution (2288 Ã— 1712 pixel, file size: 777 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Icelandic Coast Guard vessels. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 Ã— 599 pixelsFull resolution (2288 Ã— 1712 pixel, file size: 777 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Icelandic Coast Guard vessels. ... Coat of arms of the Icelandic Coast Guard Naval Ensign of the Icelandic Coast Guard The Icelandic Coast Guard is a branch of Icelands military. ...

The Icelandic Coast Guard originates back to the 1920s. Its main tasks from its initiation have been to protect Iceland's most valuable natural resource—its fishing areas—as well as provide security, search, and rescue services to Iceland's fishing fleet. In 1952, 1958, 1972, and 1975, the government expanded Iceland's exclusive economic zone to 4, 12, 50 and 200 nautical miles respectively. This led to Iceland's conflict with the United Kingdom, known as the "Cod Wars". The Icelandic Coast Guard and the Royal Navy confronted each other on several occasions during these years. Although few rounds were fired, there were many intense moments between the two nations. The Captains of the Icelandic Coast Guard ships were regarded as heroes and earned their names in the history of Iceland as Iceland's bravest men. This attitude of heroism towards the Coast Guard persists in Iceland, and can be compared to US Army soldiers in America. The Cod Wars (also called the Iceland Cod Wars) were a series of confrontations between the United Kingdom and Iceland over Icelands claims of authority over tracts of ocean off their coastline as being their exclusive fishery zone. ...

Special Unit of the National Police Commissioner

Main article: Víkingasveitin
Image File history File links Download high resolution version (963x1265, 595 KB) Summary The Special Operations Unit of the National Commissioner of the Icelandic Police in downtown ReykjavÃk Picture from a report by the Ministry of Justice and eclesiastical affairs. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (963x1265, 595 KB) Summary The Special Operations Unit of the National Commissioner of the Icelandic Police in downtown ReykjavÃk Picture from a report by the Ministry of Justice and eclesiastical affairs. ... Location in Iceland Coordinates: , Constituency ReykjavÃk North ReykjavÃk South Government - Mayor (BorgarstjÃ³ri) VilhjÃ¡lmur Ãž. VilhjÃ¡lmsson Area - City 274. ... The Special Operations Task Force of the National Commissioner of the Icelandic Police exercises in downtown ReykjavÃk. ...

The Special Unit of the National Police Commissioner, usually called Víkingasveitin (The Viking Squad), is similar to Germany's GSG 9 and Britain's SAS; a small and well-trained group of operatives. The unit handles security of the state, anti/counter-terrorism projects, security of foreign dignitaries, as well supporting the police forces in the country when needed. The Viking Team is divided into five squads: a bomb squad that specializes in explosives; a boat squad that specializes in operations on sea and water, diving and underwater warfare; a sniper squad that specializes in sniper warfare, entries, and close target reconnaissance; an intelligence squad that specializes in anti-terrorism intelligence, surveillance and infiltration; and an airborne squad that specializes in airplane hijacking operations, skydiving surprise assault operations and port security. Members of the Viking Team were deployed in the Balkans as a part of operations lead by NATO, and some members have been deployed in Afghanistan. The unit used to be under the command of the Reykjavík Chief of Police, but in 2004 a new law was passed that put it directly under the National Police Commissioner. Grenzschutzgruppe 9 (GSG 9 - Border protection group 9) is a German counter-terrorism unit, and is considered to be among the best of such units in the world. ... The Special Air Service Regiment (SAS) is the principal special forces unit of the British Army. ...

Possible Standing Military

Currently, the political tide in Iceland towards a regular armed force remains a minortity. However due to recent and upcoming events, such as the U.S. military leaving, the heating tension in Europe with Russia and an important upcoming military exercise in August, 2007 the government of Iceland is considering taking steps to create a defense force in Iceland. This would mainly consist of a police-military force to begin with and weaponry received from the Danish military, trained by Norwegian officers. A recent Gallup poll from May, 2007 showed an increase in Iceland's concern regarding the island's defense and had the support for an Icelandic defense force at 68%. The overall decision for an Icelandic army is still in question. The armed forces of the Kingdom of Denmark, known as The Danish Defence (Danish: Det Danske Forsvar) is charged with the defense of the Kingdom of Denmark. ... Militaries are composed of two main types of personnel: enlisted men and women and officers. ... See: Gallup poll (opinion poll) Gallup, New Mexico ...

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