Danish military evacuates US 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 NewsDanish military evacuates US submariner who needed urgent medical care off GreenlandDenmark’s military says its arctic command forces evacuated a crew member of a U.S. submarine off the coast of Greenland for urgent medical treatmentVia AP news wire Sunday 22 February 2026 10:47 GMTBookmarkBookmark popoverRemoved from bookmarksClose popoverGreenland Northern LightsYour support helps us to tell the storyRead moreSupport NowFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.Read more 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 some 7 nautical miles (8 miles; 13 kilometers) 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 Saturday, 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 defense 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!!!” 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 Trump ratcheted up talk of a possible U.S. takeover of the mineral-rich and strategically located Arctic island. Frederiksen defended Denmark’s health care system on Sunday, 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.More aboutMette FrederiksenDonald TrumpNuukFacebookLouisianaTruth SocialArcticNatoMost popularPopular videosBulletinRead next