Nuuk, Greenland – On January 18, 2026, Germany’s Bundeswehr reconnaissance team of 13-15 soldiers, led by Flottillenadmiral Stefan Pauly (61), departed from Nuuk Airport after a brief 44-hour stay, boarding an Icelandair Boeing 737 bound for Iceland. The team departed without a prior public announcement of the exact timing, following instructions from Berlin—as reported by BILD.
The team—comprising personnel from the Army, Air Force, and Navy—arrived on Friday, January 16, 2026, as part of a multinational NATO reconnaissance mission invited by Denmark. The mission aimed to assess possibilities for further military exercises and potential stationing options in the Arctic territory, following a failed high-level meeting in Washington on January 15 between officials from the US, Denmark, and Greenland.
According to reports from the site, the soldiers were spotted at the airport by 8:30 a.m. local time (around 11:30 a.m. German time), with their departure delayed slightly due to de-icing of the aircraft. On Saturday, January 17, Admiral Pauly had indicated that the team was awaiting Berlin’s approval for next steps after discussions with Danish counterparts, but the order to leave came the following morning.
The German Ministry of Defence officially cited bad weather as the reason for canceling a planned extension and flight to a Danish outpost (Kangilinnguit), leading to the earlier return, according to ministry statements. A ministry spokesperson had previously kept the timeline flexible, stating during a Friday press conference: “If I say now it goes until January 17, and then it turns out on site that they want to stay longer, then they say again: The spokesperson has not said this concretely enough.”
The timing has fueled speculation in some German media about a possible connection to US President Donald Trump’s tariff threats, announced on January 17 via Truth Social. In his post, Trump detailed plans to impose a 10% tariff on goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland starting February 1, 2026, escalating to 25% on June 1, until the US acquires Greenland. He accused the listed countries of endangering global security by sending personnel to the island for “purposes unknown,” stating: “These Countries, who are playing this very dangerous game, have put a level of risk in play that is not tenable or sustainable.” Trump emphasized Greenland’s importance for US national security, including advanced weapons systems like “The Golden Dome,” and claimed Denmark cannot protect it from China and Russia, adding: “They currently have two dogsleds as protection, one added recently.”
“Now, after Centuries, it is time for Denmark to give back — World Peace is at stake! China & Russia want Greenland, & there is not a thing that Denmark can do about it… The United States of America is immediately open to negotiation with Denmark and/or any of these… pic.twitter.com/y6iZGQJxdP
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) January 17, 2026
In response to the escalating tensions, the German Chancellor’s office said: “We stand united and coordinated with Denmark and the people of Greenland. As a member of NATO, we are committed to strengthening Arctic security as a shared transatlantic interest. Tariff threats undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral.” This statement underscores Germany’s commitment to NATO solidarity while criticizing the US tariff approach as harmful to alliances.
We stand united and coordinated with Denmark and the people of Greenland. As a member of NATO, we are committed to strengthening Arctic security as a shared transatlantic interest. Tariff threats undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral.
— Bundeskanzler Friedrich Merz (@bundeskanzler) January 18, 2026
The Bundeswehr described the mission as successful and “very positive and constructive” in its interactions with Danish colleagues, with the team completing its planned reconnaissance tasks. Other European nations continue small-scale deployments in Greenland as a show of solidarity with Denmark amid the ongoing diplomatic tensions.
This development occurs as the EU holds an emergency ambassadors’ meeting in Brussels to discuss coordinated responses to the US tariff plan, with warnings from European leaders of risks to transatlantic relations and Arctic security. The German team’s return illustrates the evolving situation following Trump’s demands for control over the strategically vital and mineral-rich island.
