Official declarations affirm that the Danish Arctic Command executed a medical extraction from a U.S. Navy nuclear-propelled attack submarine operating in the vicinity of Greenland.
A crew member from an American submarine, needing critical medical care, was airlifted roughly seven nautical miles offshore from Nuuk, inside Greenland’s territorial waters, as disclosed by Denmark’s Joint Arctic Command (Arktisk Kommando). This extraction was performed utilizing a Danish Defence MH-60R Seahawk helicopter, which had been stationed aboard a Royal Danish Navy patrol vessel. The naval personnel was subsequently handed over to Greenlandic healthcare officials and hospitalized in Nuuk. No additional particulars concerning the individual’s current state have been divulged.
The American submarine participating in the event has been ascertained as USSDelaware(SSN-791), a Virginia-class rapid assault submarine whose homeport is Groton, Connecticut. Launched in April 2020, theDelawarerepresents one of the most contemporary nuclear-propelled attack submarines in the U.S. Navy’s fleet. This Virginia class boasts a displacement of approximately 7,800 metric tons and extends to about 115 meters in length. Propelled by a singular S9G nuclear reactor that drives steam turbines and a pump-jet propulsor, these submarines are engineered for protracted worldwide deployments, offering a virtually boundless operational scope. The vessels in this class can attain velocities surpassing 25 knots and function at trial depths exceeding 800 feet.
Manned by a complement of roughly 134 individuals, Virginia-class submarines undertake various roles including intelligence collection, sub-surface combat, surface combat, assault operations, and covert operations assistance. Their presence in the Arctic and North Atlantic maritime zones underscores the escalating tactical emphasis placed on the Far North.
The Joint Arctic Command serves as Denmark’s foremost military body overseeing Arctic endeavors, encompassing search and rescue missions as well as medical extractions within Greenlandic waters. This command regularly assists both non-military and partner military maritime craft navigating the area, a region where challenging climatic conditions and isolated terrain can significantly hinder urgent assistance efforts.