The Air Force apparently honored the Icelanders concerns for racial purity by not stationing black servicemen there while the base was under Air Force control. OTOH, when the Navy assumed control of the base they ignored that and sent people up there regardless of of their color. I was stationed there in the early '80s and had the usual mix of people working with me. Times change. In the early '50s, a lot of people in the military didn't want black people in the service at all.

As for removing the aircraft, most Icelanders could care less about losing the F-15s. However, losing the helicopters is another thing. Over the years, the rescue squadron up there rescued many, many Icelanders. That is a very expensive, and welcome asset that the local fishermen and outdoorsmen will sorely miss.

The Icelandic ministers’ decision to support the invasion of Iraq is a
blemish on Iceland’s political history and a setback for democracy in
Iceland. It is in breach of the traditions of the Althing (Iceland’s
parliament) – the world’s oldest national legislative assembly. All opinion
polls have shown that the vast majority of Icelanders oppose the Icelandic
ministers’ support for the invasion of Iraq (84% in the latest national poll).
We apologise to the Iraqi people for the Icelandic ministers’ support
for the invasion of Iraq.
We demand that Iceland be immediately removed from the list of invaders
in the “coalition of the willing”

Well, we apologize for giving mixed messages for so long. I hope we are clear when we say that people who don't support America will stop getting American help.

It is one of the reasons why the world is such a mess. America has supported and keeps supporting organizations like Palestine, regardless of the negative consequences to American citizens. It is time we stopped giving useless folk and our enemies, our own money.

Kick the freeloader out, please. It's best for everyone concerned.
http://www.thjodarhreyfingin.is/docs/NYTimes_Iceland_05.pdf

Not to be flippant, but who would want to attack Iceland, other than geologists.

"but who would want to attack Iceland"

Well in 1627 it was successfully raided by Musilims in the slave trade. Making off with around 400 former free Icelanders.

Then again in July 1941 it was 'occupied' by the direction of Franklin Roosevelt, under the pretext of preventing a German invasion. He viewed a 'potential' German threat as dangerous to the North Atlantic supply line to Britain. It wasn't like the Germans had a clandestine weapons of mass destruction program. Oh wait...

I spent considerable time at Keflavik between 1990 and 2004. The racial mix of American troops there was no different than in the service at large at any time during that period.

I always found Icelanders to be hospitable and friendly. I did get into some bar debates with Icelanders there as the US was starting the Iraq invasion and, while I found many of them opposed to the action,as well as President Bush, I felt no anti-Americanism but merely differing points of view. I wish all my American conversations on the topic were as gentile.

Iceland has been a friend to the US for a long time and we should remember that.

Well, from what I've heard, Icelandic chicks are generally hot, so I guess I can't really blame the local dudes for trying to keep the competition low.... :o)