US sends fighter jets over Greenland as tensions simmer over Trump’s demands | World | News
The US military is quickly rehearsing the deployment of its jets to Greenland as Donald Trump continues to set his sights on the world’s largest island. American pilots and jets conducted exercises with their Danish counterparts for five days despite tensions between the two countries over Greenland, Denmark’s semi-autonomous region.
The exercise was held at the US Pituffik Cosmodrome in Greenland earlier this month. A press release from the U.S. military said the training “highlights the critical role Greenland plays in the defense of North America and underscores the importance of increasing operational readiness in the Arctic.” U.S.-based refueling tankers and fighter jets, including fifth-generation F-35s, all headed north for the exercises.
American officer Lieutenant General Luke Ahmann said: “This exercise demonstrated our ability to quickly and efficiently deploy our forces to the Arctic and demonstrated the adaptability required to operate in this unique and challenging environment.
“But more importantly, it highlighted the strength of our partnership with the Kingdom of Denmark.
“We deeply value their cooperation and the critical support they provide, particularly the Royal Danish Air Force’s commitment to search and rescue capabilities in this region. Their partnership is crucial to ensuring the safety and security of operations in the Arctic.”
NATO ally Denmark is responsible for the defense and security of Greenland.
Copenhagen’s defense ministry did not comment on the exercise but announced earlier this month that it would provide a major boost to Arctic security.
Denmark plans to spend £3.2bn to strengthen its defense posture in the Arctic and North Atlantic, including two new Arctic ships and a new headquarters.
Mr. Trump has made clear that he wants the United States to take control of Greenland, arguing that it is necessary for national security purposes and even saying that using military force is “not off the table.”
This situation led to tense relations between America, Denmark and Greenland.
In August, the US said Denmark needed to “calm down” after Washington’s top diplomat in Copenhagen was summoned over allegations of American intervention in Greenland.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said earlier this month that Copenhagen “will not be threatened or intimidated” into giving up Greenland and that she supports the island “in determining its own future.”
Greenland is rich in natural resources and offers a number of strategic advantages, especially as shipping from the Arctic region becomes easier due to rising temperatures.
The Prime Minister had previously accused the Trump administration of not being “respectful”.
The US-Denmark exercise was organized by the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD).
The binational Canadian and American command detects and monitors air threats to North America.
