NATO holds Northern Viking drills without US forces for first time

September 6, 2026 at 01:21 PM1 min

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NATO conducted its annual Northern Viking exercises off Iceland from Aug. 21 to Sept. 4 without US participation for the first time in alliance history, Politico reported on Sept. 5. The drills focused on detecting and destroying Russian submarines, with Germany, Belgium and Canada contributing aircraft and ships. The Pentagon and White House have not commented.

Key Facts

The Northern Viking exercises ran from Aug. 21 to Sept. 4 off Iceland and focused on detecting and destroying Russian submarines.
Germany contributed reconnaissance aircraft, Belgium sent fighter jets, and Canada deployed warships to the drills.
The US had led the Northern Viking maneuvers for decades but this year only assisted with planning and built new facilities at Keflavik Airport.
NATO spokesperson Timothy Pietrak said the exercises demonstrate the alliance's readiness to defend every inch of allied territory.
In July, Deputy Defense Secretary Elbridge Colby announced the Pentagon is reviewing its force posture in Europe.

Exercise Details

The annual Northern Viking maneuvers took place from Aug. 21 to Sept. 4 off the coast of Iceland. Participants practiced detecting and destroying Russian submarines. German Air Force reconnaissance aircraft, Belgian fighter jets, and Canadian warships were involved in this year's drills. The United States had led the exercises for several decades but this year only assisted with planning and constructed new facilities at the military section of Keflavik Airport.

US Force Posture Review

In May, Lieutenant General Alexus Grynkewich, commander of NATO's Allied Air Command, said a long-term shift of American troops to other regions should be expected as European forces build up. In July, Deputy Defense Secretary Elbridge Colby announced the Pentagon is reviewing the US military presence in Europe. Colby said the review would move NATO toward a Europe that takes primary responsibility for its own conventional defense.