Screenshot from ECA Program website
Iceland has taken up a private army contractor’s offer to pay ISK 200 million (US $1.6 million) to set up an airbase in the country.
The company, ECA Program, is offering the amount to refit the airbase in Keflavík, which has been left unused since the United States removed its military presence in 2006. Former barracks have been turned into extra lodgings for students of the University of Iceland.
As Iceland is a charter member of NATO, it would not have any logistical issues with ECM Program, as it notes it has “seamless compatibility” with the alliance. The country of Iceland could use a sudden flush of money too, as it grapples with paying off banker’s debt to the United Kingdom and Holland.
However, as the country does not have a military of its own, save for a coast guard, Icelanders are known for their pacifism. A group called the Campaign Against Militarism, which is part of an active movement in Iceland to get the country out of NATO, and sprang out of opposition to the Keflavík base, is strongly opposed to ECM Program, claiming the company is nothing more than a mercenary group that was denied permission to operate in Canada.
ECM Company says the Canadian rejection was done on “purely political” grounds.” The Reykjavik Grapevine reports that residents of Goose Bay, Newfoundland were actually positive towards the company, but the authorities in the region rejected the permit. It also claims on its website that it is “fully independent from any specific government and thus more open to international cooperation.”
Oddly enough, the Leftist-Greens of the Suðurnes region, where Keflavík is located, have expressed their support for ECA’s arrival. While the Lefist-Greens have a strong anti-militarist platform, having fought for years to get Iceland out of NATO, the party’s branch in the region say their support is due first and foremost to job creation, as no other possibilities seem available in the near future.
As of this writing, it is not known if ECM Company will operate within the country or exclusively work on international operations. UPDATE: ECM Company is using the Keflavík base for logistical support to its operations elsewhere.
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If you look up “ECA Program” more you’ll find they provide logical support, such as military airlift and consulting. A bunch of UNARMED cargo planes does not an Army make. Think more Fedex or DHL, but charter and willing to fly into war zones. (BTW, Icelandic has pretty much one root-word for “military,” which usually auto-translates to “Army,” even if it is Air Force or Navy).
I think you mean “logistical” support. -Admin.
The “Keflavik Base” is actually a corner of the main Icelandic international airport, now called Asbru (Ásbrú = ous-bryu). Many of the buildings are already being reused for other purposes. You can find details here http://asbru.is/English/ and here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%81sbr%C3%BA . There is a new University and a large data centre (center) is going in. However the large unused aircraft facilities (hangers, etc) are what this company apparently wants.
I have noted in previous articles about the Keflavík base that part of it has been refurbished to house University of Iceland students. Including the article you are commenting on. -Admin.
A significant issue for conversion from American use is that the place was electrically wired for 120V (60Hz) while Iceland is on the European standard of 240V (50 Hz) .
I was stationed in Iceland over 10 years ago and have no current connection to anything in Iceland (other than keeping a light track of what is going on). Thanks for your service! -Admin.
I’m sure there will other areas they will soon take part in as the blinders are removed in these days and times….my opinion…