Adm. James G. Foggo III, commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa and commander, Allied Joint Force Command Naples, Italy, visited Reykjavik, Iceland, ahead of NATO-led exercise Trident Juncture 2018.
Trident Juncture, the largest exercise of its kind since the 1980s, will be held in October and November. The exercise, hosted by Iceland, will include around 50,000 personnel from NATO countries, as well as Finland and Sweden, and will test NATO’s collective response to an armed attack against one ally, invoking Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty.
‘Trident Juncture is going to test our ability to plan and conduct a major collective defense operation,” said Foggo. “Thirty allied and partner nations providing over 50,000 troops, and all the equipment that goes along with that. There are 70 ships, 120 aircraft, and 10,000 vehicles involved in this – and the numbers are growing every day.”
While in Reykjavik, Foggo flew to the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) and visited Keflavik Air Base to view a simulated air assault executed by the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, embarked aboard Iwo Jima.
The support of the Icelandic people for their support of the rotational P-8 Poseidon aircraft and to the ships that conduct port visits is an integral part of our NATO partnership.
“Iceland is a trusted and long-time ally, and an outstanding member of NATO since its inception,” said Foggo. “We truly appreciate Iceland’s hospitality and eagerness to host so many Trident Juncture events. The North Atlantic and the Arctic are extremely important to the security of NATO.”
U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa\U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied and interagency partners in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.