Danish fighter jets visit American base in Greenland
Danish F-16 fighter jets were ‘on top of the world’ when they visited Pituffik Space Base. The visit is part of the Danish Armed Forces' increased presence in Greenland and the Arctic Light exercise.
September 17, 2025 - 17:37
Danish F-16 visiting the american base in Greenland, Pituffik Space Base. Photo: Anders Viggo Fridberg / Forsvaret
By the Danish Defence Command
The Danish F-16 fighter jets, which are part of the Danish Armed Forces' increased presence in Greenland, were ‘on top of the world’ on Tuesday when they visited Pituffik Space Base - only about 800 km from the North Pole.
At the American base, the commander of the Danish fighter jet contingent was welcomed by the base's deputy commander, who, in the commander's absence, invited him for coffee, biscuits and a briefing. During the meeting, both spoke warmly about the long-standing and consistently positive cooperation between the US and Danish military.
The operation with F-16 fighter jets at Pituffik Space Base is part of the enhanced presence that the Danish Armed Forces currently has in Greenland. And here, the base in the north plays an important role for both Denmark and the United States. It is only possible to reach the North Pole with a stop here or at Station Nord.
In the early 1950s, the former Thule Base housed up to 10,000 soldiers and other employees. Today, the number is closer to 600, and about 150 of them are American soldiers. The rest are civilian employees, primarily from Greenland, Denmark and the United States.
Two Danish F-16 figther jets and a france tanker transport aircraft over Greenland. Photo: Anders Viggo Fridberg / Forsvaret
As on other flights in Greenland, the F-16s were accompanied by the Challenger aircraft from the Danish Air Group West and a French tanker aircraft – a so-called Multi Role Tanker Transport aircraft.