Centerton Hero Takes Stand in Key MILITARY Exercise ‘Northern Viking’ in Iceland

KEFLAVÍK AIR BASE, Iceland – Hospitalman Zachary Elliott recently took part in the U.S.-led exercise NORTHERN VIKING 2024 (NV24) in Keflavik, Iceland, from Aug. 26 to Sept. 3, 2024.

Elliott, a native of Centerton, Arkansas, graduated from Bentonville West High School. His family still resides in the area. He now serves as a U.S. Navy Sailor assigned to Expeditionary Resuscitative Surgical System Team Nine (ERSS Team 9), functioning as a hospital corpsman and surgical technologist. His responsibilities include assisting an ER physician in tactical combat casualty care (TCCC) and collaborating with the trauma surgeon on damage control surgery.

During NV24, Elliott is joined by personnel from Denmark, France, Iceland, Norway, and Poland, as well as components of Standing NATO Maritime Group One and Allied Maritime Command. “It is an honor to be part of this exercise,” said Elliott. “The experience is invaluable, both in terms of skill development and team bonding. Enhancing my tactical combat casualty care and damage control resuscitation knowledge makes me a better corpsman.”

NV24 aims to strengthen interoperability among NATO Allies through various training scenarios, such as responding to a simulated volcanic eruption, enhancing expeditionary and construction capabilities, medical responses, and search and rescue operations. The exercise ensures that participating nations are prepared to execute command and control of joint and coalition forces to defend Iceland and maintain vital shipping routes in the Greenland, Iceland, and United Kingdom (GIUK) gap.

Multinational exercises like NV24 enhance professional relationships and improve overall coordination among Allied militaries during crises. These exercises also offer U.S. servicemembers the chance to experience different cultures. Elliott mentioned his excitement about exploring Iceland once the duties are fulfilled. “This is my first time visiting this beautiful country,” Elliott said. “I am looking forward to seeing the amazing sights people have told us about, of course, after our job is done.”

Northern Viking has been a biennial exercise since 1982, under the 1951 Defense Agreement between Iceland and the United States. Directed by U.S. European Command and led by U.S. Naval Forces Europe, NV24 is planned and executed by the U.S. Sixth Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy. The Sixth Fleet conducts a variety of joint and naval operations, often in collaboration with Allies, to ensure security and stability in Europe and Africa.

Story originally posted on DVIDS: Centerton Native Supports Military Exercise NORTHERN VIKING in Iceland