Danish Helicopter Urgently Evacuates US Submariner
Denmark's Arctic Command urgently evacuated a U.S. submariner off Greenland for medical treatment, amidst a statement from President Trump regarding sending a hospital ship to the island.
The Danish Joint Arctic Command announced on Facebook that a Danish Seahawk helicopter approached a U.S. submarine approximately 7 nautical miles off Nuuk, taking a crew member to a hospital in the capital, Nuuk, on Saturday. The helicopter launched from a patrol vessel operating in the area.
Trump Announces Plan to Send Hospital Ship to Greenland
Later on Saturday evening, Donald Trump announced plans to send a hospital ship to Greenland, stating that many residents there are ill and lack adequate care. He wrote on the Truth Social platform: "In coordination with Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, the U.S. will send a great hospital ship to Greenland."
Danish Minister of Defence Troels Lund Poulsen told DR broadcaster that Denmark had not received any notification about the ship being en route.
Tensions Between Two NATO Allies
Bilateral relations between the two NATO allies — Denmark and the U.S. — have recently shown signs of tension as President Trump has repeatedly mentioned the possibility of the U.S. acquiring Greenland, an island rich in minerals and strategically located in the Arctic.
Reactions from Denmark and Greenland
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen responded on Facebook, stating she was pleased to live in a country where everyone has free and equal access to healthcare services, regardless of insurance or wealth.
Aaja Chemnitz, one of Greenland's two members of the Danish Parliament, wrote: "Donald Trump wants to send a poorly maintained hospital ship to Greenland. That sounds desperate and does not contribute to strengthening the healthcare system in a sustainable way." She concluded: "Another day. Another shocking news item."
The health status of the U.S. submariner has not been disclosed.
