Seven United States warplanes and their crews deployed quickly from their Air National Guard bases around the U.S. to Greenland where they trained in tandem with the Royal Danish Air Force in an October 2025 demonstration of force readiness and NATO interoperability, according to a U.S. First Air Force news release. The rapid deployment, coordinated by the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), was challenging but went off without a hitch, said the Air Force commander in charge of planning the mission.
“The rapid timeline presented a unique challenge,” said Maj. Daniel Schoettle, CONR-1AF (AFNORTH & AFSPACE) Operations Contingency Plans chief. “Setting up a forward operating location within days, from coordinating the movement of personnel and equipment to ensuring adequate support on the ground, required meticulous planning and seamless execution. The success of this exercise demonstrates the exceptional capabilities and dedication of our Airmen and the strength of our partnership with the Kingdom of Denmark.”
NORAD surged two F-35s, two F-16s and a trio of KC-135s to Pituffik Space Base from October 7-11, the release stated. The F-35s, from the Wisconsin Air National Guard’s 115th Fighter Wing, marked only the second time the U.S.’s fifth-generation warplane has operated in Greenland. Two F-35As first visited Pituffik, the U.S.’s northernmost military base, in 2023 for the regular NORAD exercise Noble Defender.
Three KC-135 Stratotankers from the Wisconsin Air National Guard’s 128th Air Refueling Wing and two F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft from the South Carolina Air National Guard’s 169th Fighter Wing also deployed to Pituffik.
While in Greenland, the U.S. warplanes flew with a specialized Royal Danish Air Force Bombardier Challenger 604 aircraft used for search and rescue operations. “This exercise demonstrated our ability to quickly and efficiently deploy forces to the Arctic, showcasing the adaptability necessary to operate in this unique and demanding environment,” said Lt. Gen. Luke Ahmann, commander of Air Forces Northern and NORAD’s continental U.S. region. “Partnering with the Royal Danish Air Force, NORAD aircraft supported them in maintaining a constant state of readiness for search and rescue (SAR) operations. Danish specialized Bombardier Challenger 604 aircraft and highly trained personnel provided SAR coverage, a vital capability in the demanding Arctic environment, ensuring the safety and well-being of all participants,” the release stated.
Since June 2025, U.S. Northern Command has assumed responsibility for “ensuring the defense of the homeland vis-á-vis Greenland” and is “committed to strengthening its cooperation with the Kingdom of Denmark in the region,” according to the release. “From the binational NORAD perspective, practicing cooperation between the U.S., Canada, as well as the Kingdom of Denmark and Greenland contributes to our collective security. This exercise is just one example of ongoing efforts to bolster Arctic security and ensure NORAD’s ability to effectively monitor and respond to potential threats,” the release stated.
The Danish Armed Forces welcomed the U.S. presence in the region and the opportunity “to train mutual support and seamless cooperation in the Arctic, according to a news release. “During the visit, U.S. and Danish personnel exchanged experience on operating in Greenland’s unique environment,” the release stated. “Denmark and the United States share a long-standing and close partnership in the Arctic, including through NATO.”