There are soldiers on the streets of Nuuk again. Danish troops, as well as military personnel from several NATO allies such as France and Sweden, have arrived in recent days.
They will train to protect the critical infrastructure in Greenland, which is NATO's northern flank, Arctic Command Major General Søren Andersen tells Sermitsiaq. It is part of the Danish-led military exercise "Operation Arctic Endurance."
- What we are training is to protect the critical infrastructure here in Nuuk and Kangerlussuaq, says Major General Søren Andersen.
Arctic Command has also spoken with Mayor of Qeqqata Municipality Malik Berthelsen (S) about the possibility of training in Sisimiut at some point.
It is especially ports and airports that they train to protect. But what does such training involve?
- We go in and look at, if there was an enemy that was about to take over, how would we stop it? How could we avoid it? By going out into the terrain where a potential enemy would come, we train in stopping them and taking care of the critical infrastructure.
- It is here in Nuuk, but also Buksefjorden, Polar Oil and oil facilities that we are looking at. In Kangerlussuaq, it is primarily the airport that we are looking into, says Major General Søren Andersen.
Training in all weather conditions
The last time there was a NATO exercise in Greenland was in July, August and September 2025.
The weather was mostly good, and at that time of year there is light for much of the day. Therefore, it is important that the soldiers train in the area while there is snow and it is dark for much of the time.
Søren Andersen explains that they are doing the same exercises as last time, as it is important that they can perform them in all kinds of weather.
Therefore, “Operation Arctic Endurance” will also last longer than the last one.
- I think we're looking at the whole year.
- Over the course of the year you will see more activities that will be replaced by other activities, not necessarily so that there are some all the time, but if you are going to be able to defend Greenland and NATO's northern flank, you have to train. It's both Danish units that are not used to being here, but also our allies that are not used to being here, he says.
They will try to spread the contributions from NATO allies out over the year so that the pressure on Greenlandic society and infrastructure is not so great.
No threat to Greenland
On Saturday there was a large demonstration against the USA in Copenhagen, Nuuk and several other places in Greenland and Denmark. It is clear that there is unrest among the population about what the American president might come up with. But Major General Søren Andersen calls for calm.
- There is no military threat to Greenland at the moment. And I don't see a NATO country attacking another NATO country. I simply don't, he says.
American soldiers are also invited to “Operation Arctic Endurance”, because they are part of NATO, and it is about being able to protect NATO’s northern flank. Søren Andersen looks into a future where the war in Ukraine is over, and Russia turns its gaze this way. Then NATO must be ready.
But it's nothing to be afraid of. That's why he has, in collaboration with the mayors of Kommuneqarfik Sermersooq and Qeqqata Kommunia, coordinated where they will conduct exercises.
- We are also discussing with the municipalities how we can avoid scaring the population, because we really don't want to do that.
- In a dire situation, if you must use that word, we would also take care of the government buildings and some of the facilities located in Nuuk city. I have chosen not to do that because there could well be some people who would be concerned about that, he says.
Finally, he would like to thank the population, where he experiences great support.
- Thank you for the support and encouragement, because I really believe that this is important, says Søren Andersen.
