Danish military evacuates U.S. submariner who needed urgent medical care off Greenland

Denmark’s military says its arctic command forces evacuated a crew member of a U.S. submarine off the coast of Greenland for urgent medical treatment.

The Danish Joint Arctic Command, on its Facebook page, said the crew member was evacuated on Saturday (February 21, 2026) some 7 nautical miles (13 kilometres) off Nuuk — the capital of the vast, ice-covered territory — and transferred to a hospital in the city.

The crew member was retrieved by a Danish Seahawk helicopter that had been deployed on an inspection ship.

Also late on Saturday (February 21), U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to deploy a hospital ship to the Danish autonomous territory of Greenland, alleging that many people there are sick and not receiving care — prompting a defence of Denmark’s healthcare system from Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.

“Working with the fantastic Governor of Louisiana, Jeff Landry, we are going to send a great hospital boat to Greenland to take care of the many people who are sick, and not being taken care of there. It’s on the way!!!” Mr. Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, referring to his special envoy for Greenland.

The historically strong bilateral ties after World War II between NATO allies Denmark and the United States have come under severe strain in recent months as Mr. Trump ratcheted up talk of a possible U.S. takeover of the mineral-rich and strategically located Arctic island.

Ms. Frederiksen defended Denmark’s health care system on Sunday (February 22), writing on Facebook that she was “happy to live in a country where there is free and equal access to health for all. Where it’s not insurances and wealth that determine whether you get proper treatment.”

“You have the same approach in Greenland,” she said, before adding: “Happy Sunday to you all” in front of a blushing, smiling emoji.