The Royal Danish Navy came to the aid of a United States submariner who was experiencing a serious health condition during preparations for an Arctic military exercise. The medical transport demonstrated the close collaboration between the allied nations, which jointly defend Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark.
In late February 2026, during preparations for Ice Camp, an Arctic naval exercise, a Sailor fell seriously ill onboard the Virginia-class fast-attack submarine USS Delaware. The submarine diverted to Greenland where, in coordination with Denmark’s Arctic Joint Command, a Danish naval vessel was dispatched to help the Sailor. The Royal Danish Navy offshore patrol vessel HDMS Vaedderen helped the U.S. crew transfer the Sailor from the submarine at sea. The medical evacuation was 13 kilometers off Nuuk, the capital of Greenland, and the Sailor was transferred by a Danish Seahawk helicopter embarked on a nearby utility ship to a hospital in the city, reported NPR, a U.S. public broadcaster.
The USS Delaware is a 100-meter, nuclear-powered submarine with a crew of 132 that entered Navy service in 2022. “This successful, real-world operation demonstrates the importance of the interoperability we build with our allies,” said a U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) official in the April 6 release. “The readiness and professionalism of the Danish Joint Arctic Command were critical to the safe evacuation of our Sailor in a challenging environment. It underscores the practical benefits of the cooperation we refine during exercises like Arctic Edge.”
Greenland recently become part of USNNORTHCOM’s area of responsibility, along with Bermuda, Canada, Mexico, The Bahamas, and the Turks and Caicos Islands. “These efforts underscore the shared commitment of the U.S. and its allies to Arctic security and regional stability,” the release stated.
U.S. submarine forces initiated Operation Ice Camp Boarfish in the Arctic Ocean on March 7, 2026, after the building of the camp and the arrival of the Delaware and USS Santa Fe. Ice Camp is a three-week operation designed to research, test and evaluate operational capabilities in the Arctic. In addition to U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and Air National Guard participation, personnel from the Royal Australian Navy, Royal Canadian Navy, Royal Canadian Air Force, French Navy, Royal United Kingdom Navy, Norwegian Defence Research Institute and the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology also took part, according to a news release from U.S. Fleet Forces.
The latest iteration was elevated to operational status from an exercise, reflecting the increasing geopolitical importance of the Arctic, the release stated. “The Arctic is a critical region for national security and global stability. Our commitment to a sustained presence and operational readiness here is unwavering,” said Vice Adm. Richard Seif, Commander, Submarine Forces. “Ice Camp Boarfish allows us to test and refine our capabilities, deepen our interoperability with key allies, and ensure our Submarine Force can project power and defend our nation’s interests in any environment, at any time. Our strength in the Arctic is a testament to the skill and resilience of our sailors and partners.”