Icelandic Crisis Response Unit

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name=Íslenska Friðargæslan


caption=
dates=1990s–Present
country=flagcountry|Iceland
branch=
command_structure=
type=
role= Peacekeeping
size= 100
current_commander=
garrison=
ceremonial_chief=
ceremonial_chief_label=
colonel_of_the_regiment=
nickname=
motto=
colors=
identification_symbol=
identification_symbol_label=
march=
mascot=
battles= Operation Enduring Freedom
notable_commanders=Col. Arnór Sigurjónsson
Col. Halli Sigurðsson
anniversaries=

The Icelandic Crisis Response Unit (ICRU) or "Íslenska Friðargæslan", is an 100-person expeditionary military unit, with a civilian element, operated by the Icelandic Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It is primarily designated for peacekeeping operations and was established in the 1990s to improve the status of Iceland within NATO as it lacked sufficient armed forces to support NATO peacekeeping operations.

The ICRU has been deployed to the former territories of Yugoslavia, Kosovo and Afghanistan. It has a civilian observer mission in Sri Lanka in co-operation with Norway and has deployed civilian mine removal personnel to Lebanon.

Iceland sent its first peacekeepers in 1950, when two Icelandic policemen were sent to Palestine as a part of an UN peacekeeping operation. Since then Icelandic specialists have taken part in various peacekeeping operations, mostly within the UN, but also within NATO, since the establishment of the ICRU.

Personnel

The majority of those under the colours of the ICRU are Icelandic policemen, Coast Guardsmen and others already with paramilitary or military training. They are augmented with specialist civilians such as doctors and medics who are trained by the Norwegian Defence Force when deployed in a military capacity.

Despite being equipped and trained as a military force, some Icelandic politicians commonly maintain that the ICRU is a civilian unit. This opinion is based on the fact that no law explicitly states that the unit is a military force. The legal status of the ICRU can thus be compared to the Japanese Self-Defence Forces, even though Icelandic law holds no legal obstructions to forming of military units.

Operations

The ICRU classifies its operations in the following manner
* Peacekeeping and Crisis management
* Observer missions
* Reconstruction
* Humanitarian and Emergency assistance

Intelligence gathering

The Icelandic Defence Agency's Intelligence Unit (formerly:The Icelandic Intelligence Service (IIS)) is charged with intelligence gathering for Defence purposes as well as expeditionary Peacekeeping operations. The Intelligence Unit's origins lie with the Sheriff of Keflavík International Airport. In 2007 it was transferred to the Defence Office and in 2008 to the Icelandic Defence Agency.

Controversy

It is often claimed that Iceland has a tradition of non-militarisation and should therefore practice pacifism. The ICRU's existence, among other things, has thus generated much anger with Icelandic Socialists, Social democrats and other people on the left in Icelandic politics, who cherish that ideal.

On the other hand, more traditionally-minded elements in Iceland have cited the Viking warrior-peasant founders of Iceland as evidence that warfare is not absolutely alien to the Icelandic spirit and heritage.

Equipment

Vehicles

*Flagicon|JPN&Flagicon|ISL Nissan Patrol armored and modified with larger tires and suspension for mountaineering.

Small arms

ICRU personnel are often supplied with the weaponry and ammunition the military forces they are cooperating with use. The standard weaponry is however of Norwegian origin.
*Flagicon|GER/Flagicon|NOR Heckler & Koch G3/AG-3 battle rifle
*Flagicon|AUT Glock 17 pistol
*Flagicon|CAN Diemaco C8 assault rifle
*Flagicon|GER Heckler & Koch MP5 submachine gun
*Flagicon|GER Rheinmetall MG3 medium machine gun

Ranks of the Icelandic Crisis Response Unit

Officers

Enlisted

ources

* [http://www.utanrikisraduneytid.is/utanrikismal/fridargaesla/nr/363 Þátttaka Íslands í alþjóðlegri friðargæslu] is icon
* [http://grapevine.is/Undirflokkar.aspx?id=172 Reykjavík Grapevine 2004 issue 8]

ee also

*Military of Iceland
*Icelandic Coast Guard
*Iceland Air Defence System