A U.S. Navy sailor was medically evacuated Saturday from an American nuclear-powered submarine by Danish military forces, according to a U.S. official.
The submarine broke from its mission and surfaced near Nuuk, Greenland, an extraordinary step for a vessel designed to remain hidden beneath the sea in secrecy.
It’s unclear what the nature of the medical emergency was, but the official said it was not combat-related.
The sailor is being treated at a hospital in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital.
Evgeniy Maloletka/AP – PHOTO: Greenland Daily Life
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The incident unfolded against the backdrop of the Navy’s typically strict secrecy surrounding the movements and missions of its submarine fleet. Even acknowledging a sub’s general location is highly unusual, underscoring the gravity of a situation that required assistance.
The waters surrounding Greenland have been among the most strategically consequential terrain for military planners.
It includes passageways and choke points between Russia, Europe, and North America, particularly as ice continues to melt and the area becomes easier to navigate. China is also aiming to expand its footprint in the Arctic.