Operated by the Norwegian Armed Forces, it serves the island's only population at the combined military and meteorological station.

Jan Mayensfield is served eight times per year by Lockheed C-130 Hercules aircraft of the 335 Squadron from Bodø Main Air Station, which provide supplies and change crew at the outpost.

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the Norwegian Armed Forces started construction of a military communications outpost at Olonkinbyen in 1958.

[8] Jan Mayensfield's single regular service is the Royal Norwegian Air Force's Lockheed C-130 Hercules,[9] which operate to the island eight times per year.

The Kármán wind is created in the wake of the Beerenberg volcano, resulting in regular vortex streets and lee-waves.

[5] In 1991, a C-130 Hercules aircraft from the Royal Norwegian Air Force almost crashed after takeoff due to Kármán wind suddenly shifting.