View source for Icelandic Coast Guard

{{Short description|none}} <!-- "none" is preferred when the title is already sufficiently detailed; see [[WP:SDNONE]] -->
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2018}}
{{Infobox law enforcement agency
| agencyname        = Icelandic Coast Guard
| nativename        = {{lang|is|Landhelgisgæsla Íslands}}
| commonname        = {{lang|is|Gæslan}} (The Guard)
| abbreviation      = LHG
| patch             = 
| patchcaption      = 
| logo              = Coast Guard of Iceland.svg
| logocaption       = Icelandic Coast Guard insignia
| badge             = File:Icelandic Coast Guard racing stripe.svg
| badgecaption      = [[Racing stripe]]
| flag              = File:Flag of Iceland (state).svg
| flagcaption       = [[Ensign (flag)|Ensign]] and [[Military aircraft insignia|roundel]]
| imagesize         = 
| motto             = {{lang|is|Við erum til taks}}
| mottotranslated   = Always Prepared
| formed    = 1 July 1926
| preceding1        = <!-- (...up to 6...) -->
| dissolved         = 
| superseding       = 
| employees         = 200 officers
| volunteers        = 
| budget            = 
| legalpersonality  = 
| country           = Iceland
| countryabbr       = 
| national          = 
| constitution1     = Icelandic Coast Guard Act<ref name="act">{{cite act |type= |index=52 |date= 14 June 2006 |legislature=Legislative Assembly |title=Lög um Landhelgisgæslu Íslands |trans-title= Act on Icelandic Coast Guard |url=https://www.fao.org/faolex/results/details/en/c/LEX-FAOC177591/ }}</ref>
| speciality1       = coast
| electeetype       = 
| minister1name     = 
| minister1pfo      = <!-- (...up to 6...) -->
| chief1name        = [[Rear Admiral|RADM]] [[Georg Kr. Lárusson]]
| chief1position    = General Director
| chief2name        = [[Commodore (rank)|CDRE]] Ásgrímur L. Ásgrímsson
| chief2position    = Chief of Operations
| chief3name        = [[Captain (naval)|CAPT]] Auðunn F Kristinsson
| chief3position    = Chief of Maritime Division
| chief4name        = [[Commander|CDR sg]] Bjarni Á. Sigurðsson
| chief4position    = Chief of Aeronautical Division
| chief5name        = [[Captain (naval)|CAPT]] Jón B Guðnason
| chief5position    = Chief of Defence Division
<!-- (...up to 6...) -->| aircraft1type     = Patrol aircraft
| aircraft1         = 1 [[Bombardier Dash 8|Bombardier DHC-8-Q314]]
| aircraft2type     = Transport aircraft
| aircraft2         = 3 [[Eurocopter EC225 Super Puma|Airbus H225]]s
| boat1type         = 
| boats1            = 2 x Patrol vessels<br/>2 x Patrol/survey boat
| parentagency      = 
| child1agency      = 
| activity1name     = [[Cod Wars]]
| website           = {{url|www.lhg.is|lhg.is}}
| footnotes         = 
| reference         = 
}}

The '''Icelandic Coast Guard''' ({{Langx|is|Landhelgisgæsla Íslands}}, {{lang|is|Landhelgisgæslan}} or simply {{lang|is|Gæslan}}) is the [[Defence of Iceland|Icelandic defence]] service responsible for search and rescue, maritime safety and security surveillance, national defense,<ref>{{cite web |title=Security and Defense |url=https://www.lhg.is/english/varnarmal/ |website=lhg.is |publisher=Icelandic Coast Guard |access-date=3 May 2023}}</ref> and law enforcement.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lhg.is/english/|title=Welcome to the Icelandic Coast Guard|access-date=2021-11-24|website=Icelandic Coast Guard|archive-date=25 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221025155806/https://www.lhg.is/english/|url-status=dead}}</ref> The nautical division is based at the port of [[Reykjavík]], as well as a smaller base at [[Siglufjörður]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Felton |first=Benjamin |date=2021-11-16 |title=ICGV Freyja Arrives in Iceland |url=https://www.overtdefense.com/2021/11/16/icelandic-coast-guards-latest-vessel-arrives-home/ |access-date=2025-08-28 |website=Overt Defense |language=en-CA}}</ref> Its aeronautical division is based at [[Reykjavík Airport]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Morgunblaðið - Nýja flugskýlið bylting fyrir Landhelgisgæsluna |url=https://www.mbl.is/mogginn/bladid/grein/1841245/ |access-date=2025-08-28 |website=www.mbl.is |language=is}}</ref>

The Coast Guard is also responsible for the [[NATO]] area at [[Keflavík International Airport|Keflavík Airport]] and the [[Iceland Air Defence System]], which conducts ground-based surveillance of Iceland's air space.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.lhg.is/english/varnarmal/|title=Security and Defence|access-date=2021-11-26|website=Icelandic Coast Guard}}</ref><ref name="otan">{{cite web|url=https://ac.nato.int/archive/2016/icelands-role-in-nato-integrated-air-and-missile-defence-system|title=Iceland's Role In Nato Integrated Air And Missile Defence System|author=HQ AIRCOM Public Affairs|access-date=2021-11-26}}</ref> It is also conducts hydrographic surveys and nautical charting.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lhg.is/english/hydrographic-department/|title=Hydrographic surveying and nautical charting|access-date=2021-11-24|website=Icelandic Coast Guard}}</ref>

==History==
Its origins can be traced to 1859, when the corvette ''Ørnen'' started patrolling Icelandic waters. In 1906, Iceland's first purposely built guard-ship, ''Islands Falk'', began operation. Iceland's own defense of its territorial waters began around 1920 and the Icelandic Coast Guard was formally founded on 1 July 1926.<ref name="pdf">{{cite web|url=http://www.lhg.is/media/LHG80/Landhelgisgasla_Islands_enska2_.pdf|title=The Icelandic Coast Guard "Always Prepared"  |access-date=18 May 2020}}</ref> The first cannon was put on the trawler ''Þór'' in 1924 and on 23 June 1926 the first ship built for the Coast Guard, named ''[[ICGV Óðinn#Previous .C3.93.C3.B0inn.27s|Óðinn]]'', arrived in Iceland. Three years later, on 14 July 1929 the coastal defence ship [[ICGV Ægir (1929)|''Ægir'']] was added to the Coast Guard fleet.<ref>{{cite news |title=Strandvarnaskipið "Ægir" |url=https://timarit.is/page/5232826 |access-date=11 June 2022 |work=Ársrit Vélstjórafélags Íslands |date=1929 |pages=86–89 |language=Icelandic |via=[[Tímarit.is]]}} {{open access}}</ref>

=== Cod Wars ===
The Icelandic Coast Guard played its largest role during the  fishing rights dispute known as the [[Cod War]]s, between 1972 and 1976, when the Coast Guard ships would [[Net cutter (fisheries patrol)|cut the trawl wires]] of British and West German trawlers, resulting in confrontations with [[Royal Navy]] warships and tugs from the British [[Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food]] (MAFF). The Icelandic Coast Guard goal was to enforce a disputed expansion of Iceland's [[exclusive economic zone]]. Engagements between Icelandic gunboats and British warships involving [[ramming]] became the tactic of choice during this conflict.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Evans|first=Andrew|url=https://archive.org/details/iceland0000evan/page/25|title=Iceland: The Bradt Travel Guide|publisher=Bradt Travel Guides|year=2008|isbn=9781841622156|page=25}}</ref> At least 15 British frigates, five Icelandic patrol boats and one British supply ship were damaged by ramming between 1975 and 1976.<ref>{{cite book|last=Jones|first=Robert|date=2009|title=Safeguarding the Nation: The Story of the Modern Royal Navy|publisher=Seaforth Publishing|page=119|isbn=978-1848320437}}</ref> In the end, Iceland achieved its overall ambition of expanding its exclusive fishery zone to {{Convert|200|nmi|km|lk=in}} by June 1976.<ref name="Bakaki 63–78">{{Cite journal|last=Bakaki|first=Zorzeta|date=2016-01-01|title=Deconstructing Mediation: A Case Study of the Cod Wars|journal=Negotiation Journal|language=en|volume=32|issue=1|pages=63–78|doi=10.1111/nejo.12147|issn=1571-9979}}</ref>

==Operations==
[[File:10 Arrival of Thor - Icelandic Coast Guard 2011-10-27 Reykjavik.jpg|thumb|250px|From left to right: Captain of ''Þór'' Cdr. s.g. Sigurður Steinar Ketilsson, Director of the Icelandic Coast Guard R.Adm. [[Georg Kr. Lárusson]], former President of Iceland [[Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson]], and former Minister of the Interior [[Ögmundur Jónasson]] (2011)]]

The Icelandic Coast Guard's (ICG) primary mission as stipulated in Section 1 of Act on Icelandic Coast Guard is conduct search and rescue, maritime safety and security surveillance, and law enforcement inside the {{convert|200|nmi|adj=on}}-wide economic zone.<ref name="act"/> The Coast Guard operates Joint Rescue and Coordination Centre (JRCC) Iceland which is responsible for search and rescue of vessels and aircraft in Iceland's search and rescue region (SRR) according to International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue (IAMSAR) Manual.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lhg.is/english/jrcc-iceland/nr/1829|title=RCC Iceland- Rescue Centre for mariners and {{sic|aircrafts|nolink=yes}}|access-date=2021-11-26|website=Icelandic Coast Guard}}</ref> Additionally the ICG is in the charge of defusing [[naval mine]]s, most of which were laid during the [[Second World War]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://grapevine.is/news/2020/06/05/coast-guard-unearths-world-war-2-era-explosive/|access-date=2021-11-26|date=2020-06-05|title=Coast Guard Unearths World War 2 Era Explosive|first=Sam|last=O'Donnell|work=[[The Reykjavík Grapevine]]}}</ref> and monitoring fisheries in [[international waters]] outside of the Icelandic economic zone in order to [[blacklist]] any vessel partaking in [[unregulated fishing]] and thus bar them from receiving services from any member of the [[North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.neafc.org/ |website=neafc.org |title=North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission {{!}} Managing Fisheries in the North-East Atlantic |access-date=14 December 2014}}</ref> in order to make unregulated fishing unprofitable. The Icelandic Coast Guard also occasionally operates within Greenlandic and Faeroese waters, following a bilateral agreement with [[Denmark]] regarding mutual aid in security, rescue and defence matters.

The Coast Guard accomplishes these tasks with the use of [[offshore patrol vessel]]s (OPV), [[helicopter]]s, surveillance [[aircraft]], [[satellite]]s and a network of land based surface scanning [[radar]].

The Icelandic Coast Guard is also in charge of the [[Iceland Air Defence System]], which operates four ground-based [[AN/FPS-117|AN-FPS(V)5]] air surveillance radars and a control and command centre.

In the 1990s the Coast Guard started hosting exercises such as "Northern Challenge" which had military units from [[Norway]], [[Denmark]], [[Sweden]] and the [[United Kingdom]], among others, participating along with the Icelandic Coast Guard. The Coast Guard has also taken part in [[peacekeeping]] operations on behalf of the [[Icelandic Crisis Response Unit]], although while usually using their own rank insignia, uniforms and weapons.

The fleet also takes part in [[Frontex]] operations, and in that role {{ship|ICGV|Týr}} played a major part in the rescue of over 300 Syrian refugees in the eastern Mediterranean Sea in January 2015.<ref>USA Today-Arizona RepublicJan 4, 2015, Section B page2</ref>

==Fleet==
{{As of|2022}}, the Icelandic Coast Guard fleet consists of two OPVs, one [[Research vessel|coastal hydrographic and patrol vessel]] and an independent fast [[rigid-hulled inflatable boat]] (RHIB), as well as numerous smaller boats assigned to the larger units. In 2011 the Coast Guard received [[ICGV Þór (2009)|ICGV ''Þór'']], built by the Asmar shipyard in [[Talcahuano]], [[Chile]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lhg.is/frettirogutgafa/frettir/nr/2079|title=Til hamingju með daginn! Þór kominn til Íslands|access-date=14 December 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lhg.is/starfsemi/adgerdasvid/nyttvardskipthor/|title=Nýtt varðskip Þór|access-date=14 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307201720/http://www.lhg.is/starfsemi/adgerdasvid/nyttvardskipthor/|archive-date=7 March 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>

ICGV ''Týr'', an {{sclass|Ægir|offshore patrol vessel|2}}, the second youngest, built by Århus Flydedok a/s and launched in 1975. {{ship|ICGV|Ægir}}, [[lead ship]] of the ''Ægir'' class, is ICGV ''Týr''{{'}}s [[sister ship]], built by Ålborg Værft a/s and launched in 1968. Each ship is equipped with two or more RHIBs of various sizes and armed with a [[Bofors 40 mm Automatic Gun L/70|40 mm Bofors]] cannon. Various kinds of [[small arms]] as well as other man-portable weapons are also carried on board each of the ships. ''Týr'' and ''Þór'' are also equipped with [[sonar]] systems and the ''Ægir''-class vessels have [[flight deck]]s and a [[hangar]] for a small [[helicopter]]. While the Coast Guard does not operate small enough helicopters to use the hangars, the flight decks are often used by the helicopters of the Aeronautical Division on various missions.{{Citation needed|date=February 2021}}

The coastguard has a 73-ton patrol and hydrographic survey vessel, named ''[[ICGV Baldur (III)|Baldur]]'', built by [[Vélsmiðja Seyðisfjarðar]] shipyard in 1991. This vessel has no mounted weaponry, but it has nonetheless been used for port security and fishery inspection.{{Citation needed|date=February 2021}}

The newest ship of the fleet, {{ship|ICGV|Freyja}}, was bought in September 2021<ref>{{cite news |title=Varðskipið Freyja verður gert út frá Siglufirði |url=https://www.lhg.is/frettir-og-fjolmidlar/frettasafn/frettayfirlit/vardskipid-freyja-verdur-gert-ut-fra-siglufirdi |access-date=29 October 2021 |work=Icelandic Coast Guard |date=21 September 2021 |language=Icelandic}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author1=Samúel Karl Ólason |title=Gera Freyju út frá Siglufirði |url=https://www.visir.is/g/20212159182d/gera-freyju-ut-fra-siglufirdi |access-date=29 October 2021 |work=[[Vísir.is]] |date=21 September 2021 |language=Icelandic}}</ref> to replace the 46-year old [[ICGV Týr|ICGV ''Týr'']].<ref name="ruv-2021-03-05">{{cite news |author1=Kristín Sigurðardóttir |title=Nýtt varðskip verði fyrst til að bera nafn ásynju |url=https://www.ruv.is/frett/2021/03/05/nytt-vardskip-verdi-fyrst-til-ad-bera-nafn-asynju |access-date=29 October 2021 |work=[[RÚV]] |date=5 March 2021 |language=Icelandic}}</ref> It arrived for retrofit at Damen Shiprepair Rotterdam in [[Schiedam]] on 11 October and was formally delivered to the Coast Guard on 1 November 2021. She departed for Siglufjordur on 2 November.<ref>{{cite news |author1=Samúel Karl Ólason |title=Undirbúa heimsiglinguna frá Rotterdam |url=https://www.visir.is/g/20212176279d/undir-bua-heim-siglinguna-fra-rotter-dam |access-date=30 October 2021 |work=[[Vísir.is]] |date=30 October 2021 |language=Icelandic}}</ref>

==Aeronautical division==
[[File:TF-SIF De Havilland Canada DHC-8-300.jpg|thumb|Icelandic Coast Guard [[De Havilland Canada Dash 8#DHC-8-300 MSA|Dash 8-300 MSA]]]]
The Icelandic Coast Guard operates all [[Maritime rescue|emergency maritime rescue]], land-based [[search and rescue]] and [[Air medical services|emergency aerial medivac]] services in Iceland. Most of its mission time is dedicated to these purposes but also conducts maritime surveillance of [[Fishery|fishing grounds]] and [[Geological survey|geological surveys]] (e.g. during volcanic eruptions)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sæberg |first=Árni |date=2025-01-04 |title=Eldgosið séð úr lofti - Vísir |url=https://www.visir.is/g/20252708716d/eld-gosid-sed-ur-lofti |access-date=2025-08-28 |website=visir.is |language=is}}</ref> using its fleet of helicopters and aircraft. Its fixed-wing aircraft have also been deployed in [[Illegal immigration|illegal migration flow]] surveillance in the [[Mediterranean Sea|Mediterranean]], on behalf of [[Frontex]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Úlfarsson |first=Garðar Örn |date=2017-01-17 |title=Gæsluflugvél í Miðjarðarhafið - Vísir |url=https://www.visir.is/g/20171157977d/gaesluflugvel-i-midjardarhafid |access-date=2025-08-28 |website=visir.is |language=is}}</ref>

=== History ===
After [[World War II]], the Coast Guard occasionally leased civilian aircraft for short term monitoring of shipping and fishing in the territorial waters, first in 1948 when a [[Grumman Goose]] was leased from [[Loftleiðir]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Sex togbátar teknir í landhelgi |url=https://timarit.is/page/1267142 |access-date=26 June 2022 |work=[[Morgunblaðið]] |date=2 April 1948 |page=12 |language=Icelandic |via=[[Tímarit.is]]}} {{open access}}</ref><ref name="70-ara">{{cite book |author1=Guðjón Arngrímsson |author2=Helgi Hallvarðsson |author3=Stefán Melsted |author4=María Sólbergsdóttir |title=Landhelgisgæsla Íslands 1926-1996 : svipmyndir úr 70 ára sögu |date=1996 |publisher=Landhelgisgæsla Íslands |location=Reykjavík |isbn=9979602775 |language=Icelandic}}</ref> On 10 December 1955, the Coast Guard acquired its first aircraft when a [[PBY Catalina|Consolidated PBY-6A Catalina]] [[flying boat]] was acquired from the Civil Aviation Administration. It was originally from the [[Iceland Defense Force]] but was damaged near [[Langanes]] in 1954. It was named ''Rán'' and registered as TF-RAN.<ref name="flug">{{cite news|title=Catalina|url=http://timarit.is/view_page_init.jsp?issId=304742&pageId=4627266|accessdate=5 May 2021|work=[[Æskan]]|date=1 February 1972|language=Icelandic |via=[[Tímarit.is]]}} {{open access}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Togveiðiskip óttast gæzluflugvélina og sækja minna í landhelgi en áður |url=https://timarit.is/page/1029274 |access-date=26 June 2022 |work=[[Tíminn]] |date=26 March 1957 |pages=1–2 |language=Icelandic |via=[[Tímarit.is]]}} {{open access}}</ref><ref name="70-ara" />

==== Helicopters ====
In 1972, the ICG, along with the [[Icelandic Association for Search and Rescue]], bought its first specialized [[search and rescue]] helicopter, a [[Sikorsky S-62]] that was named ''Gná'', from the [[United States Coast Guard]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Gunnar, Nikulás, Alfreð |url=https://timarit.is/page/3720347 |access-date=3 July 2022 |work=[[Tíminn]] |date=26 August 1972 |pages=1, 15 |language=Icelandic |via=[[Tímarit.is]]}} {{open access}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Nýr liðsstyrkur gæzlunnar gæti líka komið Bretum í góðar þarfir |url=https://timarit.is/page/3202966 |access-date=3 July 2022 |work=[[Alþýðublaðið]] |date=29 August 1972 |pages=6–7 |language=Icelandic |via=[[Tímarit.is]]}} {{open access}}</ref> Three years later, ''Gná'' crashed in [[Skálafell]], with no injuries, after a shaft in the tail propeller broke.<ref>{{cite news |title=Þakka reynslu flugmannsins og snarræði að við erum hér til frásagnar |url=https://timarit.is/page/1467290 |access-date=3 July 2022 |work=[[Morgunblaðið]] |date=4 October 1975 |pages=24, 3 |language=Icelandic |via=[[Tímarit.is]]}} {{open access}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Sikorsky entist í 3 ár |url=https://timarit.is/page/3485972 |access-date=5 May 2021 |work=[[Vísir]] |date=19 November 1980 |page=15 |language=Icelandic |via=[[Tímarit.is]]}} {{open access}}</ref>

It took five years for another SAR helicopter to arrive but in 1980, the Coast Guard bought a new [[Sikorsky S-76]] which was given the name ''[[TF-RÁN (II)|Rán]]''. The helicopter performed admirably, including in March 1983, when ''Rán'', along with a French [[Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma]], one of two temporarily deployed in the country,<ref>{{cite news |title=Tvær franskar þyrlur lánaðar til Íslands í einn mánuð |url=https://timarit.is/page/1570069 |access-date=13 June 2022 |work=[[Morgunblaðið]] |date=20 February 1983 |page=20 |language=Icelandic}}</ref> rescued 11 people from ''Hafrún ÍS-400'' after it ran aground at Stigahlíð in the [[Westfjords]].<ref>{{cite news |author1=[[Ragnar Axelsson]] |title=Hvað er glóðarauga á milli vina |url=https://timarit.is/page/5297535 |access-date=13 June 2022 |work=SunnudagsMogginn |publisher=[[Morgunblaðið]] |date=14 February 2010 |pages=28–29 |language=Icelandic}}</ref> However, in November 1983, ''Rán'' crashed in Jökulfirðir in the [[Westfjords]] of Iceland during a training mission, killing its four man crew,<ref name="lhg-2013">{{cite news|title=Minnast áhafnar þyrlunnar TF-RAN sem fórst fyrir þrjátíu árum|url=http://www.lhg.is/frettir-og-fjolmidlar/frettasafn/frettayfirlit/nr/2670|accessdate=23 March 2021|work=[[Landhelgisgæsla Íslands]]|date=8 November 2013|language=Icelandic}}{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> in what remains the deadliest accident in the ICG history. The loss of ''Rán'' and some of the Coast Guard's most experienced flight members nearly caused the shutdown of its helicopter program.<ref name="minnistæðustu">{{cite news |author1=Sæmundur Guðvinsson |title=Minnistæðustu flugferðirnar eru þær sem aldrei voru farnar |url=https://timarit.is/page/4252713 |access-date=24 June 2022 |work=Sjómannablaðið Víkingur |date=1 June 1997 |pages=26–33 |language=Icelandic |via=[[Tímarit.is]]}} {{open access}}</ref> After some deliberation, the decision was made in 1984 to continue the program and buy a new [[Aerospatiale SA 365 Dauphin|Aérospatiale SA 365N Dauphin II]] and rent another until the new one would arrive.<ref>{{cite news |author1=Gunnar Þorsteinsson |title=Sif - Kona þrumuguðsins |url=https://timarit.is/page/1609896 |access-date=20 June 2022 |work=[[Morgunblaðið]] |date=14 April 1985 |pages=18B–19B |language=Icelandic |via=[[Tímarit.is]]}} {{open access}}</ref>[[File:Icelandic Coast Guard Aerospatiale SA-365SP Dauphin 2 Wallner.jpg|thumb|Icelandic Coast Guard [[Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin|Aerospatiale SA-365SP Dauphin]] in 1989.]]In 1985, the new ''[[TF-SIF (III)|Sif]]'' arrived and with it, several changes were made to the helicopter program, including to training, expanding crew rosters, addition of helicopter doctors and shift plans to expand its availability.<ref name="minnistæðustu"/> ''Sif'' went on to become one of the ICG most successful aircraft to date. During its 22-year career it took part in several high profile rescue operations around [[Iceland]]<ref name="dv-2007-07-20">{{cite news |author1=Sigtryggur Ari Jóhannsson |title=Fyllist lotningu við hvininn frá þyrlunni |url=https://timarit.is/page/5910781 |access-date=21 March 2021 |work=[[Dagblaðið Vísir]] |date=20 July 2007 |pages=1, 11–17 |language=Icelandic}}</ref> and is credited to have been involved in the rescue of around 250 lives.<ref>{{cite web |title=TF-SIF Aerospatiale SA.365N Dauphin 2 |url=https://www.flugsafn.is/is/safngripir/01-aerospatiale-sa365 |website=flugsafn.is |publisher=[[Icelandic Aviation Museum]] |access-date=21 March 2021 |language=Icelandic}}</ref>

In 1995, the ICG received a second specialised SAR helicopter when it bought an [[Aerospatiale Super Puma|Aérospatiale AS-332L1 Super Puma]] which was given the name ''[[TF-LÍF|Líf]]''. The new helicopter continued on the success of ''Sif'' and gained national fame when it rescued 39 sailors in three separate incidents during a six-day period in March 1997.<ref>{{cite news |title=Frækileg björgun á reginhafi |url=https://timarit.is/page/6785534 |access-date=22 March 2021 |work=[[Morgunblaðið]] |date=29 September 2016 |page=34 |language=Icelandic}}</ref>

As a response to the withdrawal of the [[Iceland Defense Force]] in 2006, the Coast Guard expanded its helicopters to four in 2007. That number was later reduced to three.
===Retired aircraft===
[[File:Icelandic Coast Guard Fokker F-27-200 Friendship KvW.jpg|thumb|192x192px|Icelandic Coast Guard F27-Friendship during its last years of service in 2007.]]
Previous notable aircraft operated consisted of the [[Consolidated PBY Catalina]], [[Douglas C-54 Skymaster|Douglas C-54]], [[Fokker F27 Friendship|Fokker F27]], [[Bell 47J Ranger|Bell 47J]]/[[Bell 47|G]], [[MD Helicopters MD 500|MD 500C]], [[Sikorsky S-62]], [[Sikorsky S-76]], [[Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin|Eurocopter AS365]], [[Eurocopter AS350 Écureuil|Eurocopter AS350]].<ref>{{cite web |date= |title=The Coast Guard is in flight |url=https://www.lhg.is/um-okkur/sagan/flugdeildin |accessdate=26 May 2022 |publisher=www.lhg.is}}</ref> Three former aircraft of the Icelandic Coast Guard can be viewed and boarded at the [[Icelandic Aviation Museum]] in [[Akureyri]], the helicopters [[TF-SIF (Dauphin 2)|TF-SIF]] and [[TF-LÍF]], and the Fokker F-27 TF-SYN.<ref>{{cite web |title=TF-SYN Fokker F-27-200 Friendship |url=https://www.flugsafn.is/is/safngripir/tf-syn |access-date=5 May 2021 |publisher=[[Icelandic Aviation Museum]] |language=Icelandic}}</ref>

=== Today ===
As of 2022, it operates three [[Eurocopter EC225 Super Puma|Airbus Helicopters H225]] helicopters named ''Gná'', ''Gróa'' and ''Eir''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://icelandmonitor.mbl.is/news/news/2021/05/06/icelandic_coast_guard_receives_third_helicopter/|work=Iceland Monitor |date=6 May 2021|title=Icelandic Coast Guard Receives Third Helicopter|author=Vala Hafstað}}</ref>

The Coast Guard also operates a single [[Bombardier Dash 8|Bombardier DHC-8-Q314]], registered as [[TF-SIF (IV)|TF-SIF]], modified for maritime surveillance and reconnaissance. This plane has been extensively modified by FIELD to carry a modern Mission Management System and suite of surveillance sensors, air operable door and communications/navigation equipment.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fieldav.com/news-events/icelandic-coast-guard-to-the-rescue-in-the-gulf-of-mexico/|title=Icelandic Coast Guard to the Rescue in the Gulf of Mexico|date=2010-07-15|access-date=2021-11-26|publisher=Field Aviation}}</ref> It is occasionally also used for surveillance of volcanic eruptions, such as the [[2010 eruptions of Eyjafjallajökull]].

==Vehicles==
All major vehicles of the Icelandic Coast Guard are named after beings from [[Norse mythology]].

===Vessels===
[[File:2 Arrival of Thor - Icelandic Coast Guard 2011-10-27 Reykjavik.jpg|thumb|The Chilean built [[ICGV Þór (2009)|ICGV ''Þór'']]  patrol boat]]
{| class="wikitable"
! style="text-align:center; background:#aabccc;"|Vessel
! style="text-align: center; background:#aabccc;"|Origin
! style="text-align:l center; background:#aabccc;"|Type
! style="text-align:l center; background:#aabccc;"|Introduced
! style="text-align: center; background:#aabccc;" |Notes
|-
| {{ICGV|Freyja}}<ref>{{cite news |title=Freyja er mjög öflugt varðskip |url=https://www.mbl.is/200milur/frettir/2021/09/23/freyja_er_mjog_oflugt_vardskip/ |access-date=29 October 2021 |work=[[Morgunblaðið]] |date=23 September 2021 |language=Icelandic}}</ref>
| {{flag|South Korea}}
| [[Patrol vessel]]
|2021
|Named after the goddess [[Freyja]]
|-
|[[ICGV Þór (2009)|ICGV ''Þór (IV)'' ]] 
| {{CHL}}
| Patrol vessel
|2009
|Named after the god [[Thor]]
|-
| [[ICGV Baldur (III)|ICGV ''Baldur (III)'']]
| {{flag|Iceland}}
| Patrol vessel
|1991
|Named after the god [[Baldr]], also performs [[hydrographic survey]] duties
|-
| ICGV ''Óðinn (IV)''<ref>{{cite web|title=Óðinn |url=https://www.lhg.is/um-okkur/taekjakostur/skip-og-batar/nr/3448 |website=lhg.is|publisher=Icelandic Coast Guard|access-date=31 October 2021|language=Icelandic}}</ref>
| {{flag|Iceland}}
| Special operations
|2011
| Named after the god [[Óðinn]] 
|}

===Decommissioned vessels===
{|  class="wikitable" 
!Name
!Type
!From
!To
!Notes
|-
|style="background:#efefef;"|[[ICGV Þór (1926)|ICGV ''Þór'' (I)]]
| [[naval trawler|Armed trawler]]
| 1926
| 1929
| The first ship owned by the Icelandic Coast Guard. Originally a trawler and later a Danish research vessel named [[Thor (1903)|Thor]], it was bought by ''Björgunarfélag Vestmannaeyja'' in 1920 to be used as a rescue ship. In 1926, the Icelandic government bought the ship for the Coast Guard. It stranded in [[Húnaflói]] in 1929.<ref name="mbl-thor">{{cite news |title=Þór kominn til Vestmannaeyja |url=https://www.mbl.is/frettir/innlent/2011/10/26/thor_kominn_til_vestmannaeyja/ |access-date=23 March 2021 |work=[[Morgunblaðið]] |date=26 October 2011 |language=Icelandic}}</ref>
|-
|style="background:#efefef;"|ICGV Óðinn (I)
| Patrol vessel
| 1926
| 1936
| Arrived in 1926<ref>{{cite news |title=Nýja varðskipið |url=https://timarit.is/page/4969581 |access-date=23 March 2021 |work=Dagblaðið |date=27 June 1926 |page=4 |language=Icelandic |via=[[Tímarit.is]]}} {{open access}}</ref> and served until it was sold to Sweden in 1936.<ref>{{cite news |title=Undir erlendum fána |url=https://timarit.is/page/1230414 |access-date=23 March 2021 |work=[[Morgunblaðið]] |date=27 February 1936 |page=2 |language=Icelandic |via=[[Tímarit.is]]}} {{open access}}</ref>
|-
|style="background:#efefef;"|[[ICGV Ægir (1929)|ICGV ''Ægir'']] (I)
| Patrol vessel
| 1929
| 1968
| Arrived new in July 1929.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ægir |url=https://timarit.is/page/996002 |access-date=11 June 2022 |work=[[Tíminn]] |date=20 July 1929 |page=162 |language=Icelandic |via=[[Tímarit.is]]}} {{open access}}</ref> Used for coastal patrol, rescue and research.<ref>{{cite news |author1=Svend-Aage Malmberg |title=Hugleiðing um minjar í borg og bæ, íslenzkt sjómannasafn og varðskipið Ægi |url=https://timarit.is/page/1392529 |access-date=24 July 2022 |work=[[Morgunblaðið]] |date=20 March 1968 |page=11 |language=Icelandic |via=[[Tímarit.is]]}} {{open access}}</ref> Sold for scrap in 1968.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ægir rifinn í Blyth |url=https://timarit.is/page/1395874 |access-date=24 July 2022 |work=[[Morgunblaðið]] |date=8 August 1968 |page=24 |language=Icelandic |via=[[Tímarit.is]]}} {{open access}}</ref>
|-
|style="background:#efefef;"|ICGV Þór (II)
| Patrol vessel
| 1930
| 1939
| Built in Stettin, Germany, in 1922 as ''Senator Schäfer''. Arrived in Iceland in 1930 and served with the Coast Guard until 1939. Used as a transport ship until sold to England in 1946. Stranded in Scotland in 1950.<ref name="fylkir-1955"/>
|-
|style="background:#efefef;"|ICGV ''Gautur''
| Patrol vessel
| 1938
| 1964
| Built in 1938 in [[Akureyri]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Nýi varðbáturinn Óðinn |url=https://timarit.is/page/1235379 |access-date=11 June 2022 |work=[[Morgunblaðið]] |date=18 February 1938 |page=3 |language=Icelandic |via=[[Tímarit.is]]}} {{open access}}</ref> Originally named ''Óðinn'' (II) but renamed when a new ''Óðinn'' (III) arrived, Gautur is one of Óðinn's pseudonyms. Put up for sale in 1963<ref>{{cite news |title=Vill fá sem flestar milljónir fyrir Gaut |url=https://timarit.is/page/1348239 |access-date=11 June 2022 |work=[[Morgunblaðið]] |date=24 January 1963 |page=2 |language=Icelandic |via=[[Tímarit.is]]}} {{open access}}</ref> and sold a year later.<ref>{{cite news |title=´Gautur í áætlunarferðir milli Vestmannaeyja og Þorlákshafnar |url=https://timarit.is/page/2329785 |access-date=11 June 2022 |work=[[Alþýðublaðið]] |date=11 January 1964 |page=4 |language=Icelandic |via=[[Tímarit.is]]}} {{open access}}</ref>
|-
|style="background:#efefef;"|ICGV ''Baldur'' (I)
| Fast patrol boat
| 1945
| 1946
| A fast patrol boat originally built for the [[Turkish Naval Forces|Turkish Navy]] in 1943 but expropriated by the [[United Kingdom]]. Bought early in 1946 but used for less than a year and returned because of bad characteristics in rough seas.<ref name="gaeslutidindi-2001-12">{{cite news |author1=Ingólfur Viktorsson |title=Hraðbátum Gæslunnar skilað |url=http://www.lhg.is/media/frettir/Gt2001.pdf |access-date=23 March 2021 |work=Gæslutíðindi |date=December 2001 |page=8 |language=Icelandic}}</ref><ref name="hvorki-nothæfir">{{cite news |title=Hvorki nothæfir til björgunarstarfa nje landhelgisgæslu |url=https://timarit.is/page/1258607 |access-date=30 June 2022 |work=[[Morgunblaðið]] |date=12 March 1946 |pages=5, 13 |language=Icelandic |via=[[Tímarit.is]]}} {{open access}}</ref>
|-
|style="background:#efefef;"|ICGV ''Njörður''
| Fast patrol boat
| 1945
| 1946
| Named after [[Njörðr]] the god of wind, fertile land along the seacoast, as well as [[seamanship]], [[sailing]] and [[fishing]]. A fast patrol boat originally built for the [[Turkish Naval Forces|Turkish Navy]] in 1943 but expropriated by the [[United Kingdom]]. Bought early in 1946 but used for less than a year and returned because of bad characteristics in rough seas.<ref name="gaeslutidindi-2001-12"/><ref name="hvorki-nothæfir"/>
|-
|style="background:#efefef;"| ICGV ''Bragi''
| Fast patrol boat
| 1945
| 1946
| Named after [[Bragi]] the god of [[poetry]]. A fast patrol boat originally built for the [[Turkish Naval Forces|Turkish Navy]] in 1943 but expropriated by the [[United Kingdom]]. Bought early in 1946 but used for less than a year and returned because of bad characteristics in rough seas.<ref name="gaeslutidindi-2001-12"/><ref name="hvorki-nothæfir"/>
|-
|style="background:#efefef;"|ICGV ''Sæbjörg''
| Patrol and rescue ship
| 
| 
| Built in 1947 to 1948. Owned by the National Life-saving Association of Iceland but operated by the ICG.<ref name="fylkir-1955">{{cite news |title=Björgunarstarf og landhelgisgæzla. 35 ára þróun. |url=https://timarit.is/page/5597421 |access-date=13 June 2022 |work=Fylkir |date=23 December 1955 |pages=4–7 |language=Icelandic}}</ref> Decommissioned in the mid 1960s.
|-
|style="background:#efefef;"|[[María Júlía|ICGV ''María Júlía'']]
| Patrol, research and rescue vessel
| 1950
| 1969
| Named after one of those who financed her construction. Joint ownership by the ICG and the National Life-saving Association of Iceland. Operated by the ICG. Decommissioned in the late 1960s<ref>{{cite news |title=Reyna að koma Maríu Júlíu í slopp á Húsavík |url=https://timarit.is/page/7288441 |access-date=11 June 2022 |work=[[Fréttablaðið]] |date=19 September 2020 |page=8 |language=Icelandic |via=[[Tímarit.is]]}} {{open access}}</ref> and sold in 1969.<ref>{{cite news |title=María Júlía til Patreksfjarðar |url=https://timarit.is/page/1399928 |access-date=11 June 2022 |work=[[Morgunblaðið]] |date=19 January 1969 |page=2 |language=Icelandic |via=[[Tímarit.is]]}} {{open access}}</ref>
|-
|style="background:#efefef;"|[[ICGV Þór (1951)|ICGV ''Þór'' (III)]]
| Offshore patrol vessel
| 1951
| 1982 
| Built in 1951 for the Coast Guard. The third coast guard ship to bear the name, she was the flagship of the fleet and served in all three Cod Wars conflicts between Iceland and the United Kingdom. Sold in 1982.<ref name="mbl-thor"/><ref name="reykjavik">{{cite news |title=Söguleg verðmæti fóru forgörðum við eyðingu skipsins |url=https://timarit.is/page/6119504 |accessdate=11 June 2022 |work=Reykjavík |date=10 August 2013 |pages=8–9 |language=Icelandic |via=[[Tímarit.is]]}} {{open access}}</ref>
|-
|style="background:#efefef;"|ICGV ''Albert''
| Patrol and rescue vessel
| 1956
| 1978
| Built in 1956 and jointly owned by the ICG and the National Life-saving Association of Iceland, [[Icelandic Association for Search and Rescue|now ICE-SAR]]. Operated by the ICG. Decommissioned and sold in 1978.<ref>{{cite news |title=Fyrrverandi björgunar- og varðskipið Albert fannst í Seattle |url=https://www.lhg.is/frettir-og-fjolmidlar/frettasafn/frettayfirlit/nr/2432 |access-date=11 June 2022 |work=lhg.is |publisher=Icelandic Coast Guard |date=9 January 2012 |language=Icelandic}}</ref>
|-
|style="background:#efefef;"|{{ICGV|Óðinn}} (III)
| Offshore patrol vessel
| 1960
| 2006
| An offshore Patrol Vessel named after [[Óðinn]] the all-seeing father of the gods. Decommissioned in 2006 and turned into a [[museum ship]].<ref>{{cite news |author1=Hallur Már |title=Óðinn sigldi á ný |url=https://www.mbl.is/200milur/frettir/2020/05/11/odinn_sigldi_a_ny/ |access-date=11 June 2022 |work=[[Morgunblaðið]] |date=11 May 2020 |language=is}}</ref>
|-
|style="background:#efefef;"|{{ICGV|Ægir}} (II)
| {{sclass|Ægir|offshore patrol vessel|4}}
| 1968
| 2020
| Danish-built ''Ægir''-class offshore patrol vessel named after [[Ægir]], the king of the sea. It was the flagship of the ICG during the last two Cod Wars. It was decommissioned in 2020 and put up for sale.<ref>{{cite news |author1=Ævar Örn Jósepsson |title=Varðskipið Ægir auglýst til sölu |url=https://www.ruv.is/frett/2020/11/03/vardskipid-aegir-auglyst-til-solu |access-date=7 November 2021 |work=[[RÚV]] |date=3 November 2020 |language=Icelandic}}</ref>
|-
|style="background:#efefef;"|ICGV ''Árvakur''
| Lighthouse tender and patrol ship
| 1969
| 
| A lighthouse tender and patrol ship built in Holland in 1962 for the Department of Lighthouses and arrived in 1963. Transferred to the Coast Guard in 1969. Was put for sale in 1988.<ref>{{cite news |title=Vitaskipið Árvakur auglýst til sölu: Ekki ákveðið að selja skipið segir forstöðumaður vita hjá Vitamálastofnun |url=https://www.mbl.is/greinasafn/grein/9661/ |access-date=11 June 2022 |work=[[Morgunblaðið]] |date=10 January 1988 |language=Icelandic}}</ref>
|-
|style="background:#efefef;"|[[Hvalur 9|ICGV ''Týr'']]
| Armed [[whaler]]
| 1972
| 1973
| Armed whaler (''Hvalur 9'') borrowed during the second Cod War<ref>{{cite news |title=Týr skal hann heita |url=https://timarit.is/page/1435966 |access-date=17 September 2020 |work=[[Morgunblaðið]] |date=12 October 1972 |page=32 |language=is |via=[[Tímarit.is]]}} {{open access}}</ref> It was nicknamed ''Hval-Týr'' by the Icelanders and ''Moby Dick'' by the British.<ref>{{cite news |title=Stríðshetjan í helgan stein |url=https://timarit.is/page/1924004 |access-date=17 September 2020 |work=[[Morgunblaðið]] |date=3 January 1999 |pages=12B |language=is |via=[[Tímarit.is]]}} {{open access}}</ref>
|-
|style="background:#efefef;"|{{ICGV|Týr}} (II)
| Ægir class
| 1974
| 2021
| [[Denmark|Danish]]-built ''Ægir''-class offshore patrol vessel named after [[Týr]], the god of combat and heroism. It was decommissioned in 2021 and put up for sale.<ref>{{cite news |author1=Ólöf Rún Skúladóttir |title=Varðskipið Týr komið úr síðustu sjóferð fyrir Gæsluna |url=https://www.ruv.is/frett/2021/11/15/vardskipid-tyr-komid-ur-sidustu-sjoferd-fyrir-gaesluna |access-date=11 June 2022 |work=[[RÚV]] |date=15 November 2021 |language=Icelandic}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Varðskipið Týr lauk sinni síðustu ferð í dag |url=https://www.mbl.is/200milur/frettir/2021/11/15/vardskipid_tyr_lauk_sinni_sidustu_ferd_i_dag/ |access-date=11 June 2022 |work=[[Morgunblaðið]] |date=15 November 2021 |language=Icelandic}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author1=Sigtryggur Sigtryggsson |title=Fallið var frá kauptilboðinu í Ægi og Tý |url=https://www.mbl.is/200milur/frettir/2022/06/02/fallid_var_fra_kauptilbodinu_i_aegi_og_ty/ |access-date=11 June 2022 |work=[[Morgunblaðið]] |date=2 June 2022 |language=Icelandic}}</ref>
|-
|style="background:#efefef;"|[[ICGV Baldur (II)|ICGV ''Baldur'']] (II)
| Armed trawler
| 1975
| 1977
| Named after the god [[Baldr]], son of [[Óðinn]]. An armed trawler which served in the third [[Cod Wars]] conflict between Iceland and the United Kingdom. Due to its sharp stern, Baldur could inflict heavy damage on British ships colliding with its stern section and knocked out three frigates during the conflict.<ref name="mbl-2020-09-08">{{cite news |author1=Ágúst Ingi Jónsson |title=Beittur Baldur fer í brotajárn |url=https://www.mbl.is/200milur/frettir/2020/09/08/beittur_baldur_fer_i_brotajarn/ |access-date=11 June 2022 |work=[[Morgunblaðið]] |date=8 September 2020 |language=is}}</ref>
|-
|style="background:#efefef;"|ICGV ''Ver''
| Armed trawler
| 1976
| 1976
| Built in 1974 in Poland for Krossvík hf. in [[Akranes]]. Operated by the ICG in the last [[Cod Wars|Cod War in 1975–1976]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Ver til gæzlustarfa í dag |url=https://timarit.is/page/3870522 |access-date=13 June 2022 |work=[[Tíminn]] |date=6 April 1976 |page=2 |language=Icelandic}}</ref>
|-
|}
In addition the Coast Guard has rented or borrowed a number of civilian vessels and aircraft for shorter periods, which are not listed.

===Aircraft===
{{main|List of aircraft of the Icelandic Coast Guard}}
[[File:Icelandic Coast Guard TF-GNA IMG 3274.jpg|thumb|An [[Eurocopter EC225 Super Puma|Airbus H225]] of the Icelandic Coast Guard.]]
{| class="wikitable"
! style="text-align:center; background:#acc;"|Aircraft
! style="text-align: center; background:#acc;"|Origin
! style="text-align:l center; background:#acc;"|Type
! style="text-align:left; background:#acc;"|Variant
! style="text-align:center; background:#acc;"|In service
! style="text-align:center; background:#acc;"|Introduced
! style="text-align: center; background:#acc;" |Notes
|-
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | [[Maritime patrol aircraft|Maritime patrol]]
|-
|[[Bombardier Dash 8|Bombardier DHC-8-Q314]]
|[[Canada]]
| [[Maritime patrol aircraft|Maritime patrol]] / [[Search and rescue|SAR]]
|[[De Havilland Canada Dash 8#DHC-8-300 MSA|-300 MSA]]
|1<ref name="Icelandic Coast Guard aircraft"/>
|2009
|[[TF-SIF (Dash 8)|TF-SIF]]
|-
! colspan="7" style="align: center; background: lavender;" | [[Helicopter]]s
|-
| [[Airbus Helicopters EC225 Super Puma|Airbus H225]]
| [[France]]
| SAR / [[Utility helicopter|Utility]]
| 
| 3<ref name="Icelandic Coast Guard aircraft">{{cite web |last = |first = |url= https://www.lhg.is/um-okkur/taekjakostur/loftfor/|title = Icelandic Coast Guard aircraft |publisher= www.lhg.is |year= 2022 |doi = |accessdate= 26 May 2022|url-access= }}</ref>
|2019
|TF-EIR<br/>TF-GRO<br />TF-GNA
|}

== Radars ==
{{Location map+ | Iceland | relief = 1 | float=right | width=360| places=
{{Location map~ | Iceland | background = white |label='''[[Naval Air Station Keflavik|Keflavik]]'''|lat= 63.985 |long= -22.605556 |position=left|mark=Lightgreen pog.svg}}
{{Location map~ | Iceland | background = white |label=<small>[[Naval Air Station Keflavik|Miðnesheiði]]</small>|lat= 63.985 |long= -22.45 |position=right|mark=Orange pog.svg}}
{{Location map~ | Iceland | background = white |label=<small>[[Langanes|Gunnólfsvík]]</small>|lat= 66.138056 |long= -15.105 |position=right|mark=Orange pog.svg}}
{{Location map~ | Iceland | background = white |label=<small>[[Stokksnes]]</small>|lat= 64.243 |long= -14.96 |position=right|mark=Orange pog.svg}}
{{Location map~ | Iceland | background = white |label=<small>[[Bolungarvík|Bolafjalli]]</small>|lat= 66.15 |long= -23.25 |position=right|mark=Orange pog.svg}}
|caption=Iceland Air Defense System radar stations <br/> [[File:Orange pog.svg|10px]] Radar station with [[AN/FPS-117|AN/FPS-117(V)5]] <br/> [[File:Lightgreen pog.svg|10px]] Control and Reporting Centre}}

The [[Iceland Air Defence System|Iceland Air Defense System]] monitors [[Iceland]]'s airspace. Air Defense is provided by fighter jets from [[NATO]] allies, which rotate units for the [[Icelandic Air Policing]] mission to [[Keflavík International Airport|Keflavik Airport]].
The Iceland Air Defense System's Control and Reporting Centre is at the ICG centre at Keflavik Airport and reports to [[NATO]]'s [[NATO Integrated Air Defense System|Integrated Air Defense System]] CAOC Uedem in Germany.<ref name="otan"/>

* '''[[Iceland Air Defence System|Iceland Air Defense System]]''', at [[Keflavík International Airport|Keflavik Airport]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Iceland Air Defense System|url=http://www.lhg.is/varnarmal/loftrymisleit-og-islenska-loftvarnarkerfid|publisher=Icelandic Coast Guard|access-date=25 May 2018|language=is}}{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
** Control and Reporting Centre, at Keflavik Airport
** [[Rockville Air Station|H1 Radar Station]], at [[Naval Air Station Keflavik|Miðnesheiði]], with [[AN/FPS-117|AN/FPS-117(V)5]]
** [[Langanes Air Station|H2 Radar Station]], on [[Langanes]], with AN/FPS-117(V)5
** [[Hofn Air Station|H3 Radar Station]], at [[Stokksnes]], with AN/FPS-117(V)5
** [[Bolafjall Radar Station|H4 Radar Station]], on [[Bolafjall]], with AN/FPS-117(V)5

==Weaponry==
The Icelandic Coast Guard possesses over 200 firearms, with more than half of them in storage.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://visir.is/landhelgisgaeslan-a-212-vopn/article/2015150129244|title=Landhelgisgæslan á 212 vopn - Vísir |date=26 January 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.althingi.is/altext/144/s/0869.html|title=869/144 svar: vopnaöflun og vopnaeign Landhelgisgæslunnar|website=Alþingi}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dv.is/frettir/2017/12/4/fallbyssur-saebraut-sidast-beitt-i-thorskastridunum-attunda-aratugnum/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180102054213/http://www.dv.is/frettir/2017/12/4/fallbyssur-saebraut-sidast-beitt-i-thorskastridunum-attunda-aratugnum/|url-status=dead|archive-date=2018-01-02|title=Fallbyssur á Sæbraut: Vegfarendur ráku upp stór augu - DV}}</ref> In 2014, the Coast Guard received 250 [[Heckler & Koch MP5]] from the [[Norwegian Armed Forces]].<ref>{{cite news |author1=Ægir Þór Eysteinsson |title=LHG keypti 250 vélbyssur af norska hernum fyrir 11,5 milljónir |url=https://kjarninn.is/frettir/lhg-keypti-250-velbyssur-af-norska-hernum-fyrir-115-milljonir/ |access-date=11 June 2022 |work=[[Kjarninn]] |date=23 October 2014 |language=Icelandic}}</ref> The acquisition of the weapons caused an uproar in Iceland due to several facts, including that the mostly unarmed [[Icelandic Police]] was to receive 150 of them and conflicting statements from Icelandic and Norwegian officials on whether they were a gift or bought.<ref>{{cite news |author1=Arnar Páll Hauksson |title=Byssurnar með farþegaflugvél til Noregs |url=https://www.ruv.is/frett/byssurnar-med-farthegaflugvel-til-noregs |access-date=11 June 2022 |work=[[RÚV]] |date=24 June 2015 |language=Icelandic}}</ref>
In June 2015, the weapons were returned to Norway.<ref>{{cite news |author1=Hjálmar Friðriksson |title=Vopnin kvödd: Hríðskotabyssur Gæslunnar koma til Noregs í dag |url=https://stundin.is/frett/vopnin-kvodd-hridskotabyssur-landhelgisgaeslunnar-/ |access-date=11 June 2022 |work=[[Stundin]] |date=24 June 2015 |language=Icelandic}}</ref>

=== Currently in use ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Model
!Type
!Origin
!Quantity
!Details
!References
|-
|[[Glock|Glock 17]]
|[[Semi-automatic pistol]]
|{{AUT}}
|20
|Models 1990, 2006 and 2012. Bought from a dealership in Reykjavík.
|<ref name="dv-2020-09-16">{{cite news |author1=Heimir Hannesson |date=16 September 2020 |title=MP-5, Glock, AR-15 og fallbyssur – Sjáðu vopnalista Landhelgisgæslunnar í heild sinni |url=https://www.dv.is/frettir/2020/09/16/mp-5-glock-ar-15-og-fallbyssur-sjadu-vopnalista-landhelgisgaeslunnar-heild-sinni/ |access-date=11 June 2022 |work=[[Dagblaðið Vísir]] |language=Icelandic}}</ref>
|-
|[[Heckler & Koch MP5|H&K MP5A2N]]
|[[Submachine gun]]
|{{FRG}}
|50
|Model 1990. Gift from Norway in 2011.
|<ref name="dv-2020-09-16" /><ref name="vf-2014-10-27">{{cite news |date=27 October 2014 |title=Vopnin öll geymd á Keflavíkurflugvelli |url=https://www.vf.is/frettir/vopnin-oll-geymd-a-keflavikurflugvelli |access-date=11 June 2022 |work=[[Víkurfréttir]] |language=Icelandic}}</ref>
|-
|[[AR-15]]
|[[Semi-automatic rifle]]
|{{USA}}
|6
|Model 2017. Bought the same year and first used during a peace keeping mission.
|<ref name="dv-2020-09-16" /><ref>{{cite news |author1=Jóhannes Stefánsson |date=27 October 2014 |title=Tíu af byssunum eru alsjálfvirkar |url=https://www.vb.is/frettir/tiu-af-byssunum-eru-alsjalfvirkar/ |access-date=11 June 2022 |work=[[Viðskiptablaðið]] |language=Icelandic}}</ref>
|-
|[[Rheinmetall MG 3]]
|[[General-purpose machine gun]]
|{{FRG}}
|10
|Model 1990. Gifted by Norway in 2013 along with 50 sets of [[body armour]].
|<ref name="dv-2020-09-16" /><ref name="vf-2014-10-27" />
|-
|[[Bofors 40 mm Automatic Gun L/70|Bofors 40 mm L/70]]
| rowspan="2" |[[Autocannon]]
| rowspan="2" |{{SWE}}
| rowspan="2" |4
|Purchased from Norway and refurbished.
| rowspan="2" |<ref name="dv-2020-09-16" />
|-
|[[Bofors 40 mm L/60 gun|Bofors 40 mm L/60]]
|Model 1936. Gift from Denmark.
|}

===Currently in storage===
{| class="wikitable"
!Model
!Type
!Origin
!Quantity
!Details
!References
|-
|[[Smith & Wesson|S&W .38 Police Special]]
|[[Revolver]]
| rowspan="4" |{{USA}}
|12
|Model 1940. [[Marshall Plan|Marshall aid]].
| rowspan="2" |<ref name="dv-2020-09-16" />
|-
|[[Remington Model 870]]
|[[Pump action]] [[shotgun]]
|4
|Model 2000. Bought from a dealership in Reykjavík.
|-
|[[M1 carbine]]
| rowspan="2" |[[Carbine]]
|30
| rowspan="2" |Model 1940. Lent to the Reykjavík Police in 1986.
| rowspan="2" |<ref name="vb-2015-01-26">{{cite news |date=26 January 2015 |title=Gæslan með 92 vopn í notkun |url=https://www.vb.is/frettir/gaeslan-92-vopn-i-notkun/ |access-date=11 June 2022 |work=[[Viðskiptablaðið]] |language=Icelandic}}</ref>
|-
|[[M2 carbine]]
|20
|-
|[[Lee-Enfield|SMLE Lee-Enfield]]
|[[Bolt action|Bolt-action rifle]]
|{{flag|British Empire}}
|10
|Model 1910. Unknown origin.
| rowspan="8" |<ref name="dv-2020-09-16" />
|-
|[[Heckler & Koch G3|H&K G3]]
|[[Battle rifle]]
|{{FRG}}
|20
|Model 1959. Gift from Denmark 2006.
|-
|[[Steyr SSG 69]]
|[[Sniper rifle]]
|{{AUT}}
|8
|Model 1989. Bought from a dealership in Reykjavík.
|-
|[[M2 Browning|Browning M2]]
|[[Heavy machine gun]]
|{{USA}}
| rowspan="3" |3
|Model 1939. Came with a seaplane which the ICG had in operation.
|-
|''Cannon 37 mm''
| rowspan="4" |[[Cannon]]
| rowspan="3" |{{Flag|Denmark}}
|Model 1898. Gift from Denmark.
|-
|''Cannon 47 mm''
|Model 1909. Gift from Denmark.
|-
|''Cannon 57 mm''
|5
|Model 1892. Gift from Denmark.
|-
|[[QF 3-pounder Hotchkiss]]
|{{FRA}}
|1
|Model 1912. At a museum in Ísafjörður.
|}

==Ranks==

===Officers===
{|style="background-color: #f7f8ff; border: 1px solid #8888aa; font-size: 95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px; padding: 5px;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Navies/OF/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Navies/OF/Iceland}}
|}

===Enlisted===

{|style="background-color: #f7f8ff; border: 1px solid #8888aa; font-size: 95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px; padding: 5px;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Navies/OR/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Navies/OR/Iceland}}
|}

==See also==
*[[Military of Iceland]]
*[[Iceland Defense Force]] ([[United States Armed Forces]] in Iceland)

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Coast guard of Iceland}}
*[http://www.lhg.is/english Official Site in English] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110506233702/http://www.lhg.is/english/ |date=6 May 2011 }}
*[http://www.lhg.is Landhelgisgæsla Íslands] in [[Icelandic language|Icelandic]].
*[http://www.althingi.is/altext/132/s/1520.html Coast Guard laws] in [[Icelandic language|Icelandic]].
*[http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/ops/gov/icelandic-coast-guard.htm Info on Icelandic Coast Guard] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203211447/http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/ops/gov/icelandic-coast-guard.htm |date=3 February 2023 }}
*[https://archive.today/20130201063458/http://www.randburg.com/is/general/general_15.html Randburg discussion on Icelandic Coast Guard]
*[http://www.kaldi.is/lhg-2008-.htm Ranks of the Icelandic Coast Guard]

{{European Border and Coast Guard}}
{{Law enforcement in Iceland}}
{{Allied Maritime Command}}
{{Coast guards}}
{{Navies in Europe}}
{{Air forces in Europe}}
{{Military ranks by country}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Icelandic Coast Guard| ]]
[[Category:1926 establishments in Iceland]]
[[Category:Military history of Iceland]]
[[Category:Transport in Iceland]]
[[Category:Law enforcement agencies of Iceland|Coast Guard]]
[[Category:Coast guards]]
[[Category:National hydrographic offices]]