NATO troops face harsh conditions on Greenland reconnaissance mission
Jan 19, 2026
Nuuk [Greenland], January 19: Soldiers from European NATO countries are bracing for exceptionally challenging conditions during a reconnaissance mission aimed at strengthening security around Greenland.
Denmark's top Arctic commander, Soren Andersen, told DPA in Nuuk: "It is very, very difficult to operate up here, especially on land." It requires specialized training, he said.
Small teams of military personnel from several European NATO countries arrived in Greenland on Friday as part of a Danish-led reconnaissance mission ahead of a planned military exercise. The deployment follows US President Donald Trump's aggressive push to acquire Greenland, a resource-rich, semi-autonomous Arctic island that is formally part of Denmark, a NATO member.
Andersen said some forces stationed in Greenland are accustomed to the conditions, but many other units are not. "There are many units of the armed forces - also in Denmark - who are not used to working up here either," he said.
Operating in Greenland requires specialized gear, including winter clothing and sleeping systems designed for extreme cold. Temperatures in the Arctic, he said, can fall to -40 degrees Celsius on a normal winter day. He also highlighted the challenges of operating in a treeless landscape that offers little cover, requiring different tactics and training. (DPA)
Source: Qatar Tribune
