Danish soldiers train deployment in Greenland
In coordination with the Greenlandic authorities, soldiers from XIII Lette Infanteribataljon will, among other things, train guarding critical infrastructure at several locations on the western coast of Greenland.
June 17, 2025 - 08:20
Danish soldiers in Kangerlussuaq in Greenland. Foto: Rebekka Gimm / Forsvaret
By Defence Command Denmark
On Sunday June 15th approximately 100 soldiers from the XIII Light Infantry Battalion landed in Kangerlussuaq, 300 kilometres north of Nuuk. Immediately after arrival, the soldiers, who are normally based in Haderslev in Denmark, began preparing for almost two weeks of training in a different and more impassable terrain where use of vehicles is difficult over large distances.
“It is a task that suits us quite well. We are a unit that normally operates without vehicles, so we are used to using our bodies, and we are really excited to operate in the Greenlandic terrain,” says Captain Youkhanis, company commander of 1st Company.
Cooperation
During the deployment, the company from the Slesvigske Fodregiment is under the command of Arctic Command, which is responsible for military operations in and around Greenland. In connection with the deployment, the soldiers will receive support from both the Royal Danish Navy and the Royal Danish Air Force, which currently also have units in the area. It is also planned that they will work together with the students from Arktisk Basisuddannelse, who are expected to gain educational benefits from the Armed Forces' increased presence in the Arctic.
“It’s going to be an exciting few days. We’re going to several different places, and although we’re happy to go, the distances up here are too great. That’s why the plan is for us to board the frigate Niels Juul, which will sail close to one of the places where we’re going to be deployed. And then the Air Force’s helicopters will help us get ashore. It’s a major coordination effort, but we’re looking forward to working together with the other services and Greenlandic partners on this task,” says the company commander.
Danish soldiers in Kangerlussuaq in Greenland. Foto: Rebekka Gimm / Forsvaret
The frigate Niels Juul arrived in Greenland last week, as did two of the Air Force’s EH101 Merlin helicopters, which will transport the soldiers and their equipment to the otherwise difficult-to-reach places that the soldiers will be training to guard.
The soldiers from the XIII Light Infantry Battalion will also be visible in and around Nuuk when they are going to train for deployment in several different places. This can be expected at the harbor and at the Buksefjord Works, among other places.
Follow on social media
It is possible to follow the various deployments continuously on the Arctic Command's Facebook page, and pictures and videos will be posted on the Army, Air Force, Navy and Defence Facebook pages and the Defence page on Instagram and Youtube.
Danish soldiers in Kangerlussuaq in Greenland. Foto: Rebekka Gimm / Forsvaret