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Allies demonstrate agility during tactical airlift, with first-ever landing on volcanic island in the High North

NATO Allied Air Command

Sep 23 2025

RAMSTEIN, Germany -- In a recent deployment, a United Kingdom Royal Air Force (RAF) A400 transport aircraft landed for the first time on Jan Mayen, Norway, delivering a U.S. Marine Corps Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) from pre-positioned location in Norway.

Jan Mayen, a remote volcanic island in the Norwegian Sea and part of Norway's sovereign territory, hosts a station that supports the Norwegian Cyber Defence and the Meteorological Institute year-round. The deployment included Norwegian Armed Forces, UK Royal Marines, and U.S. Marines.

The High North remains strategically vital for NATO, serving as a gateway between North America and Europe and a key arena for securing transatlantic supply routes. Regular Allied activity in the region demonstrates NATO's commitment to safeguarding freedom of navigation, ensuring access to critical sea lines of communication, and maintaining credible deterrence in an increasingly contested Arctic environment.

"Operating jointly with Allies demonstrates both capability and commitment to defend Arctic islands, the High North, and surrounding waters if required," said Vice Admiral Rune Andersen, Chief of the Norwegian Joint Headquarters. "The waters around Jan Mayen are vital to NATO in terms of securing international sea lines of communication and transatlantic supply routes."

"Our strength lies in our ability to integrate capabilities across domains and among NATO Allies," said Andersen. "Regular Allied training and operations in Norway ensure readiness across all seasons and in times of crisis or conflict. This contributes to collective security and credible deterrence against future aggression. NATO remains a defensive alliance, but one always ready to respond if challenged," Andersen added.

Weather and terrain proved demanding. Operating on Jan Mayen requires meticulous planning. Resupply is difficult, so everything — from clothing to rations and ammunition — must be carefully considered in the initial deployment.

Story by Allied Air Command Public Affairs Office