JAN MAYEN, Norway, — Military forces from the United States, United Kingdom and Norway have deployed to the remote Norwegian island of Jan Mayen for Operation Atlantic City 26, a trilateral military activity running from August 26 through September 4.
The operation is part of NATO’s Arctic Sentry, an enhanced-vigilance activity designed to strengthen Allied coordination and security in the High North.
Jan Mayen’s Strategic Location
Jan Mayen is a Norwegian territory in the Norwegian Sea, approximately 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) from mainland Norway and north of the Greenland-Iceland-United Kingdom (GIUK) gap.
The island has a dirt runway but no harbor, with only offshore anchorages. Its remote location, severe weather and limited infrastructure make it a challenging environment for military deployments.
Allied Forces Build a ‘Joint Kill Web’
The participating forces are connecting sensors, command-and-control nodes and precision fires into what the U.S. Marine Corps describes as a “joint kill web.”
The network is intended to support rapid targeting and help restrict adversary movement in contested maritime areas.
U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. David Palacio, fires officer for U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa, said the deployment demonstrates the Marine Corps’ role in enabling joint and combined forces.
U.S., UK and Norwegian Forces
The U.S. contingent includes Marines from U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa, II Marine Expeditionary Force, the 10th Marine Regiment and Marine Air Support Squadron 1.
A HIMARS platoon from the 3-197th Field Artillery Regiment of the New Hampshire Army National Guard is supporting precision fires. Elements of the U.S. Sixth Fleet and Task Force 68 are also involved in maritime operations.
MC-130 and C-130 aircraft are providing airlift support.
Norway is contributing personnel from the Royal Norwegian Navy and Norwegian Home Guard. The UK has deployed Royal Marine Commandos and elements of the Royal Air Force’s LXX Squadron.
RAF A400M Delivers Troops and Vehicles
On August 29, an RAF A400M Atlas from LXX Squadron at RAF Brize Norton delivered U.S. Marines, Royal Marines and two Joint Light Tactical Vehicles to Jan Mayen.
A similar A400M landing was conducted during the 2025 iteration of the activity.
Operation Linked to Northern Viking 26
Atlantic City 26 is being conducted alongside Operation Northern Viking 26, allowing participating forces to share maritime surveillance and sensing capabilities across the European theater.
Both activities support Arctic Sentry, which was launched in February 2026 and is led by Joint Force Command Norfolk. The framework is intended to synchronize Allied activities, improve common situational awareness and strengthen deterrence in the High North.
Norwegian Army Maj. Gen. Frode Kristoffersen, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations at Joint Force Command Norfolk, said Arctic Sentry is intended to coordinate Allied Arctic activities and maximize their combined effect.
Historical Background
The name Operation Atlantic City comes from a U.S. military base established at Nordlaguna on Jan Mayen during the Second World War. The base supported weather observations and Allied control of the North Atlantic.
The current activity follows similar training conducted on and around Jan Mayen in September 2025. It also tests how Allied forces operate across long distances, limited infrastructure, severe weather and rapidly changing conditions in the High North.
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