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Czech fighters to guard Iceland's airspace

Xinhua, September 24, 2016 Adjust font size:

Czech Gripen fighters will leave for another mission to guard airspace over Iceland, said Tomas Maruscak, spokesman for the Czech 21st tactical air force base on Friday.

Most of the team will leave on Sunday, while five JAS-39 Gripen aircraft will fly to Iceland on Thursday, said Maruscak.

The mission will last until November 10, the fighters will operate from the Naval Air Station in Keflavik. Four aircraft will be deployed directly, while the fifth will serve as a reserve.

It will be the fifth deployment of JAS-39 Gripens for air guarding in Iceland.

Marek Maxim Svancara from the Caslav base said the Czech Gripens will be armed with missiles destroying ground targets for the foreign mission. Unlike those from previous missions, they will have a longer range.

The number of the fighters and personnel are to be the same as for the mission in 2015. Some 75 soldiers will join the mission, though the exact number has not been specified. Most of the team will be comprised of the soldiers who were not in the previous missions in Iceland.

The Czech government approved the mission in March. Endit