The United States Air Force deployed a detachment of F-16 fighters to Greenland to strengthen its presence in the Arctic after detecting Russian aircraft in international airspace near the region. According to the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), an air patrol composed of Canadian and American aircraft monitored the activity of the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) bombers, while F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters were sent from Alaska to Greenland as part of NORAD’s response.
The air patrol consisted of two different squadrons. The first departed from the Canadian NORAD Region (CANR) to northern Canada, while the second was deployed from the Alaskan NORAD Region (ANR) off the coast of the Alaska-Yukon border. The first squadron included two Canadian CF-18 fighters and a KC-135 Stratotanker refueling aircraft. The second patrol consisted of two U.S. fifth-generation F-35A fighters, an E-3 Sentry airborne early warning and control aircraft, and two KC-135 refueling aircraft.
This incident is not an isolated case, as days earlier, the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) deployed their Tupolev Tu-160 strategic bombers on a patrol flight over the Arctic Ocean. These flights are part of routine military activities in the region. Additionally, it is increasingly notable that these deployments are often accompanied by aircraft and assets from the People’s Liberation Army of China.
Moreover, it was reported that hours later, NORAD also deployed two F-16 fighters from Alaska to Greenland, stating that this was in accordance with its standard agreement with Denmark to enhance NORAD’s presence in the Arctic. Presumably, the U.S. Air Force F-16s may have been deployed from Thule Air Base, now called Pituffik Space Base, located approximately 750 miles north of the Arctic Circle. It is worth noting that this facility, the northernmost U.S. Air Force base on the continental island, serves as a crucial outpost for Arctic surveillance and monitoring. It plays a key role in space missions, ballistic missile early warning installations, and satellite tracking operations, making it an indispensable asset for the United States and its allies.
The deployment of fighters to Greenland under NORAD’s requirements is particularly noteworthy in the current context of U.S.-Denmark relations, as the island has been a topic of debate after U.S. President Donald Trump did not rule out the annexation of the world’s largest island, considering it a matter of national security.
While both governments have worked to resolve any disagreements, amid these statements from the former U.S. president, Denmark recently announced that it was evaluating improvements to the island’s airport to allow the deployment of its F-35A stealth fighters. Specifically, this refers to Kangerlussuaq Airport, a former U.S. military base in western Greenland. Although Copenhagen is responsible for the island’s security, Denmark has limited capability for sustaining and conducting large-scale military operations, relying on a Bombardier CL-604 Challenger surveillance aircraft and a small fleet of four patrol ships with a long service history.
Despite this and the recent tensions surrounding the continental island, it should be noted that Denmark is still in the process of integrating its fleet of U.S.-built F-35A stealth fighters. Recently, the country received new batches of fifth-generation aircraft, with two deliveries of four and three units in December and January, respectively.
Images used for illustrative purposes.
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