The U.S. Navy and military forces from across NATO are participating in a series of Arctic operations extending into Greenland during September, bringing ships, fighter aircraft and approximately 400 military personnel into and around the island.
The Danish Armed Forces announced two separate activities on September 1: Arctic Shield 2026, which will take place in southern Greenland and around Kangerlussuaq, and Nanook Tuugaalik, a Canadian led maritime exercise moving from Canadian waters into Greenlandic waters.
Arctic Shield brings 10 NATO nations to Greenland
Arctic Shield 2026 will run from September 7 through 18 and involve approximately 400 soldiers, sailors and airmen from 10 NATO countries.
The main activity will take place around Narsarsuaq in southern Greenland. Dutch marines will conduct separate training in the fjord system around Kangerlussuaq.
Participating forces include French infantry, a Belgian drone unit, Finnish and Danish special operations forces and Home Guard units from Denmark, Sweden and Norway. Canadian Arctic specialists will share experience operating in the region’s climate, while Germany will provide logistical support and an observer team.
Denmark and Joint Arctic Command will support the exercise with helicopters, ships, deployable medical facilities and logistics.
American, Canadian and Danish fighter aircraft will also conduct air operations over Iceland, Greenland and Canada as part of additional NATO activities taking place alongside Arctic Shield. The participating American aircraft and units have not yet been publicly identified.
Arctic Shield forms part of NATO’s broader Arctic Sentry activity, which is intended to coordinate and strengthen allied operations across the Arctic and High North. The Greenland exercise is being conducted in coordination with Naalakkersuisut.
U.S. Navy joins Canadian led maritime exercise
A separate Canadian led exercise, Nanook Tuugaalik, includes naval and coast guard units from Canada, Denmark, France and the United States.
The Danish inspection vessel Thetis is participating alongside allied ships. The U.S. Navy has identified its contribution as the Freedom class littoral combat ship USS Wichita.
The Navy said Wichita will conduct maritime operations across the Labrador Sea, Davis Strait and Greenlandic fjords. Training includes maritime surveillance, search and rescue, tactical maneuvering and coordination among allied naval forces.
After an initial 14 days in Canadian waters, the final phase will take place in Greenlandic waters under the responsibility of Joint Arctic Command. Scenarios will include environmental response, fisheries inspections, protection of critical infrastructure and detecting and preventing unauthorized entry by vessels.
The exercise will conclude with a port visit and public open ship event in Nuuk.
The U.S. Navy said the participation of USS Wichita reflects the United States’ “enduring commitment to Arctic security” and cooperation with its allies in the region.
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