Evenes air base may become monitoring base for the US

The US military is considering using Evenes air base in Nordland for maritime patrols with their P8 Poseidon patrol aircraft.

According to the Defense Ministry , the US Navy wants to prepare the infrastructure in Norway for reception of this type of aircraft for shorter and longer stays in the Northern areas, writes the  newspaper Fremover.

Last week, a delegation from the US Navy visited the air bases at both Evenes and Andoy, but mapping is still  at the early stages from the American side, according to the ministry.
– Of course it is positive for Norway if they can help to build up a  future base for new maritime patrol aircrafts in Norway, but so far it is in the air, said Communications officer Lars Gjemble at the Ministry of Defence.

Gjemble points out that if the US Navy established themselves in Northern Norway, it must be aligned with the Norwegian plans for the development of our base structure in the country.

The government proposed recently to close down several military bases in its long-term plan for defense. The air base at Andøya can be closed down if the government wins through.
If so, the Air Force’s capacities will be consentrated at Evenes, which then becomes the operational base for the F-35.

 

Source: NTB scanpix / Norway Today

————-