Danish F-35s Land in Greenland for First Time
Two Danish F-35s joined US and Canadian jets in Kangerlussuaq for Arctic training. The deployment precedes a new trilateral security agreement.
Key points
- Two Danish F-35s landed in Greenland on September 16, joining US and Canadian jets.
- The exercise is part of the Arctic Sentry NATO initiative launched in February.
- The drills happened days before a trilateral agreement expanding US military presence.
Two Danish F-35 fighter jets landed in Greenland for the first time on September 16. They joined US and Canadian aircraft for NATO exercises. The mission took place at Kangerlussuaq airfield.
According to the Danish armed forces, the jets flew from Keflavik in Iceland. A French tanker refueled them during the transit. A NATO AWACS aircraft monitored the airspace throughout the operation.
Coordinated Arctic Air Operations
Four US F-16s and two Canadian CF-18s also arrived at the site. Crews had to synchronize flights from widely separated bases. This is difficult due to changing weather and few airfields.
A Danish Challenger aircraft stood by for search and rescue support. The exercise tested allied air operations across the Arctic region. Officials described the planning as inherently complicated.
Context of Arctic Sentry Initiative
This deployment is part of Arctic Sentry. The NATO initiative launched in February under US command. It aims to coordinate military operations in the High North.
The alliance cites Russian activity and Chinese interest as challenges. Denmark’s F-35s had flown over Greenland in January. However, this was their first landing on the island.
Preceding New Security Agreement
The drills occurred days before a September 22 agreement. The US, Denmark, and Greenland signed this deal. It expands the American military footprint on the island.
According to Defence24.com, the deal preserves Danish sovereignty. It follows tension over US purchase calls. This remains a training deployment, not a permanent base.
