RAF joins US and Norwegian forces in Arctic exercise on Jan Mayen

The Royal Air Force took part in a multinational exercise on the remote Arctic island of Jan Mayen from August 26 to September 4, 2026. The operation, named Atlantic City, involved UK Commando Force, the Royal Norwegian Navy, the Norwegian Home Guard, and US Marine Corps units.

The exercise formed part of Arctic Sentry, NATO's enhanced vigilance activity for the High North. UK forces worked with Norwegian and American allies to integrate sensor and communications systems. US Air Force Special Operations Command MC-130 and US Air Forces Europe C-130 aircraft also took part.

Jan Mayen lies in the Norwegian Sea, about 620 miles from mainland Norway. The island sits north of the Greenland-Iceland-UK gap.

Defense Secretary Wes Streeting said the operation showed the strength of the UK's partnerships and the ability of armed forces to operate in demanding Arctic conditions. Operation Atlantic City ran at the same time as naval maneuvers during Operation Northern Viking 26, which let the trilateral force make the most of overlapping maritime and sensing resources.