JAN MAYEN, Norway — British, U.S. and Norwegian forces have completed Operation Atlantic City, a trilateral NATO deployment on the remote Norwegian island of Jan Mayen in the High North.
The exercise ran from August 26 to September 4, 2026, as part of NATO’s wider Operation Arctic Sentry. The UK Ministry of Defence confirmed the deployment on September 6.
The exercise involved Royal Marine Commandos and the Royal Air Force’s LXX (70) Squadron, alongside the Royal Norwegian Navy, Norwegian Home Guard and U.S. Marine Corps. U.S. participation also included elements from Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa, II Marine Expeditionary Force, 10th Marine Regiment and Marine Air Support Squadron 1. A HIMARS platoon from the New Hampshire Army National Guard’s 3-197th Field Artillery Regiment also participated, with support from U.S. Navy Sixth Fleet and Task Force 68.
Air mobility support included U.S. Air Force MC-130 and C-130 aircraft, as well as RAF A400M Atlas aircraft.
A400M lands on Jan Mayen
On August 29, an RAF A400M Atlas from LXX Squadron at RAF Brize Norton landed on Jan Mayen’s unpaved dirt runway. It transported Royal Marines, U.S. Marines and two Joint Light Tactical Vehicles.
The island’s runway is approximately 1,500 to 1,585 metres long and is used only a limited number of times each year by Norwegian transport aircraft.
During the operation, the allied forces trained in naval operations, reconnaissance, survival in extreme Arctic conditions, and the integration of sensors and communications systems. They also worked on connecting sensors, command-and-control nodes and precision fires.
A KONGSBERG StrikeMaster anti-ship missile launch vehicle was deployed to the island with Norwegian Home Guard personnel.
Jan Mayen's strategic location
Jan Mayen is located in the Norwegian Sea, about 1,000 kilometres from mainland Norway and north of the Greenland-Iceland-United Kingdom (GIUK) gap. The volcanic island has no permanent civilian population, while a rotating Norwegian military and scientific team maintains a meteorological and communications station.
Its location makes Jan Mayen an important area for the defence of northern Europe and the wider Euro-Atlantic region.
Operation Atlantic City was conducted alongside naval manoeuvres under Operation Northern Viking 26, allowing participating forces to use overlapping maritime and sensing resources.
The activity formed part of Arctic Sentry, launched in February 2026 under NATO Joint Force Command Norfolk to improve coordination, situational awareness and deterrence in the High North.
The name Operation Atlantic City refers to a U.S. military base established on Jan Mayen during the Second World War for weather observations and support to Allied control of the North Atlantic. Similar training was conducted around the island in September 2025.
UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said the operation demonstrated the UK's partnership with Norway and the United States and the ability of allied forces to operate together in demanding Arctic conditions.
The UK Ministry of Defence said the deployment demonstrates Britain's commitment to NATO collective security and its ability to operate in an environment characterized by extreme weather, distance, limited infrastructure and rapidly changing conditions.
The deployment comes as the UK Ministry of Defence faces funding pressures. Britain has suspended some collective training exercises involving 90 or more military personnel, with units not preparing for deployments or specific operational roles instructed to reduce non-essential group training for the remainder of the year. NATO-linked exercises and deployments continue.
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