British forces have deployed to the remote Norwegian Arctic island of Jan Mayen alongside Norwegian and American personnel as NATO strengthens its ability to operate in the strategically important High North.
The Ministry of Defence confirmed on 6 September that Royal Marine Commandos and Royal Air Force personnel took part in Operation Atlantic City, a trilateral deployment which ran from 26 August to 4 September.
The operation formed part of Arctic Sentry, NATO's enhanced vigilance activity for the High North, and tested the ability of allied forces to work together in harsh Arctic conditions.
Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said the deployment sent a clear signal of Britain's continuing commitment to NATO security and the defence of shared interests in the region.
Royal Marines and RAF deploy to Jan Mayen
Personnel from LXX Squadron of the Royal Air Force deployed alongside detachments from the UK Commando Force.
They operated with personnel from the Royal Norwegian Navy, Norwegian Home Guard and United States Marine Corps.
The exercise integrated allied sensor and communications systems, with the Ministry of Defence saying the work would leave NATO better prepared for potential threats.
American forces also brought additional capabilities to the exercise, including precision-fire and air-mobility assets.
Island occupies strategically important position
Jan Mayen is Norwegian territory situated in an isolated area of the Norwegian Sea approximately 620 miles from mainland Norway.
Despite its remoteness, the island occupies an important geostrategic position north of the Greenland-Iceland-UK gap.
The GIUK gap is a strategically important maritime corridor connecting the Arctic and North Atlantic and has long played a major role in the defence of northern Europe and the wider Euro-Atlantic area.
Norway says familiarity with Jan Mayen's geography and demanding environment is important because the island forms part of Norwegian territory and therefore NATO's area of responsibility.
Streeting says High North vital to UK security
Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said: “The High North is vital to the security of the UK and our NATO Allies.”
He said Operation Atlantic City demonstrated the strength of Britain's partnership with Norway and the United States and the ability of their armed forces to operate together in demanding Arctic conditions.
Streeting added that the deployment was a clear signal of Britain's enduring commitment to NATO security and to defending shared interests in the High North.
Part of NATO's Arctic Sentry
Operation Atlantic City formed part of Arctic Sentry, NATO's enhanced vigilance activity for the High North.
The initiative is intended to coordinate increasing allied military activity in the Arctic and improve common situational awareness across the region.
The Jan Mayen deployment also ran alongside naval manoeuvres during Operation Northern Viking 26, allowing participating forces to make use of overlapping maritime and surveillance resources.
Norwegian Vice Admiral Rune Andersen said operating alongside allies demonstrated both the capability and willingness to defend Norwegian territory, including Arctic islands, the High North and Norwegian territorial waters.
Forces tested in extreme Arctic conditions
The deployment was designed not simply to demonstrate allied presence but to give personnel practical experience of operating in an unusually difficult environment.
Arctic operations require forces to cope with extreme weather, long distances, limited infrastructure and rapidly changing conditions.
The Ministry of Defence said training provided experience in areas including maritime operations, surveillance, movement, survival and joint operations.
Similar allied training took place around Jan Mayen in 2025, with this year's operation expanding cooperation between Norwegian, British and American forces.
Growing strategic focus on the Arctic
NATO allies have increased their focus on the Arctic as the region becomes more important to European and North American security.
The High North contains vital maritime routes between North America and Europe and sits close to strategically important Russian military facilities on the Kola Peninsula.
The British Government has repeatedly identified security in the High North and North Atlantic as important to the defence of the UK.
Operation Atlantic City demonstrates how that policy is increasingly translating into multinational deployments in remote Arctic locations rather than being confined to conventional exercises closer to mainland Europe.
Historic name revived for modern NATO operation
The exercise takes its name from a US military installation known as Atlantic City which was established at Nordlaguna on Jan Mayen during the Second World War.
The wartime facility supported meteorological observations and helped Allied efforts to maintain control of the North Atlantic.
More than eight decades later, the island is again being used for allied military cooperation — this time as NATO adapts its northern defences to a changing security environment.