The Danish Armed Forces Command (Forsvaret) announced today that its F-35A fighter jets, alongside a squadron of US F-16s and Canadian CF-18s, landed at Kangerlussuaq Airport in Greenland last week. This marks Denmark's inaugural deployment of F-35A aircraft to Greenland.

Published images showed two Danish F-35A jets, four US F-16 fighters, and two Canadian CF-18s on the tarmac at Kangerlussuaq Airport.

Danish F-35A, US F-16, and Canadian CF-18 fighter jets at Kangerlussuaq Airport on 16/9. *Photo: Forsvaret*

The operation is part of the Arctic Guardian initiative, launched by NATO in 2/2026, following previous flights by Danish F-35 fighter jets over Greenland's airspace.

Forsvaret stated that the Danish F-35A jets landed in Greenland and conducted training with US F-16s and Canadian CF-18s to synchronize operations among aircraft from geographically distant nations and bases.

A NATO E-3 early warning aircraft provided airspace surveillance and coordination, while a Danish CL-604 aircraft undertook search and rescue support in case of an aircraft incident.

A Danish F-35A fighter jet at Kangerlussuaq Airport in Greenland on 16/9. *Photo: Forsvaret*

According to Forsvaret, deploying forces in the Arctic presents challenges due to unpredictable weather, long travel distances, and a limited number of landing sites. "Much of the preparation for this type of mission was completed before the fighter jets took off", the agency stated.

The United States has previously deployed F-35A fighter jets to Pituffik Space Base in Greenland. The most recent deployment occurred on 9/9, involving an F-35A from the 115th Fighter Wing of the Wisconsin Air National Guard.

This information was released after President Donald Trump announced on 19/8 that the US had reached an agreement with Denmark and Greenland, granting Washington "permanent control over security and all other needs in Greenland".

Location of the United States, Greenland, and Denmark. *Graphic: CNN*

President Trump stated that the US would immediately begin building a large-scale military presence in suitable areas of Greenland and would coordinate with the indigenous population during the deployment process. He described this as a beneficial solution for the United States, Denmark, Greenland, and their allies.

The Danish Air Force currently operates 21 F-35A fighter jets, with six additional aircraft used for training at Luke Air Force Base in the United States. Denmark ordered 16 more F-35A jets at the end of 3.

*Nguyen Tien (According to Aviationist, AP, Reuters)*