Danish F-35s land in Greenland for first time in NATO Arctic exercise

Two Royal Danish Air Force F-35A Lightning IIs landed at Kangerlussuaq Airport in Greenland on Sep. 16, 2026, the first time Danish F-35s have been deployed to the territory. The Danish Defence Command said the landing formed part of NATO's Arctic Sentry initiative, which began in February 2026.

The two Danish jets were joined at Kangerlussuaq by U.S. Air Force F-16s and Royal Canadian Air Force CF-18s. The American and Canadian aircraft flew from Goose Bay in Canada. The U.S. jets arrived there on Sep. 15 and crossed over Greenland the following day with support from a KC-135 Stratotanker. The U.S. Air Force refers to its own portion of the deployment as Operation Arctic Vanguard.

For the exercise, the Danish F-35As flew out of Keflavik Air Base in Iceland. A French Air and Space Force A330 Phénix multi-role tanker transport provided air-to-air refuelling, a NATO E-3 Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft took part, and a Danish CL-604 Challenger handled search and rescue cover.

The deployment follows earlier flights by Danish F-35s over Greenland, including separate and joint drills with the United States and Canada.

According to the source, the exercise comes as European allies have closed ranks behind Copenhagen amid President Donald Trump's threats concerning Greenland. Members of the U.S. 115th Fighter Wing, operating under AFNORTH, carried out missions in Greenland as part of the American operation.