Few military units anywhere in the world operate in conditions as unforgiving as Greenland’s Sirius Dog Sled Patrol. As global attention returns to the Arctic—driven by security concerns, climate change, and renewed US interest in Greenland—this small Danish unit has found itself back in the spotlight, not just for its mission, but also amid a growing political controversy involving a US envoy.
The Sirius Dog Sled Patrol represents one of the most unusual forms of modern military power, a handful of elite soldiers, a team of sled dogs, and thousands of kilometres of frozen wilderness.
What Is the Sirius Dog Sled Patrol?
Denmark established the Sirius Dog Sled Patrol in 1950 to maintain sovereignty over northeast Greenland, one of the most remote regions on Earth. The unit operates in an area larger than many European countries, yet remains almost completely uninhabited.
Each patrol consists of just two soldiers and 11 to 15 Greenlandic sled dogs. Together, they travel for months across ice sheets, glaciers, and frozen fjords, ensuring a constant Danish presence in the Arctic. Their mission focuses on monitoring foreign activity, supporting search-and-rescue efforts, and reinforcing Denmark’s control over the territory.
Patrol routes often stretch thousands of kilometres annually. Temperatures regularly fall below –50°C, forcing soldiers to rely on survival skills, pre-positioned supply depots, and their dogs to stay alive in complete isolation.
Why Dog Sleds Still Matter in Arctic Warfare
Despite modern technology, the Sirius Patrol continues to use traditional dog sleds because machines fail where dogs succeed. The sled dogs can detect polar bears, navigate whiteout blizzards, and cross terrain where snowmobiles and vehicles break down.
Soldiers train for years in Arctic survival, navigation, marksmanship, emergency medicine, and even veterinary care. Only a small number qualify, making the unit one of the most selective within the Danish Armed Forces.
Aircraft periodically drop supplies at remote depots, but patrol teams often spend months without direct human contact, communicating only by radio.
How the Sirius Patrol Fits Into Denmark’s Arctic Defense
While the Sirius Patrol remains the most iconic symbol of Denmark’s Arctic presence, it operates as part of a wider defense structure under the Joint Arctic Command.
Danish Jaeger Corps
The Jaeger Corps serves as Denmark’s elite army special forces unit. Comparable to the British SAS or US Army Rangers, Jaeger operators train for deep reconnaissance, sabotage, and extreme-weather warfare, including Arctic deployments in Greenland.
Frogmen Corps
The Frogmen Corps operates under the Royal Danish Navy and specializes in maritime special operations, underwater demolition, and amphibious missions along Greenland’s icy coastline.
Together with naval patrol ships and surveillance aircraft, these forces form Denmark’s layered Arctic security strategy.
Why Greenland’s Strategic Value Is Rising
Greenland sits between North America and Europe, giving it immense military and geopolitical value. It also holds vast reserves of rare-earth minerals critical for modern technology and defense systems.
Former US President Donald Trump has repeatedly emphasized Greenland’s importance for American security. In January 2026, he mocked Denmark’s defenses by saying its Arctic security “amounts to two dog sleds,” a remark widely seen as a reference to the Sirius Patrol.
The US already operates Pituffik Space Base in northwest Greenland under long-standing agreements with Denmark. However, Trump’s renewed rhetoric has raised concerns in Copenhagen and Nuuk about future pressure on Greenland’s political status.
Political Row Erupts Over US Envoy and Dog Sled Race
Tensions escalated after Greenland’s dog sled federation distanced itself from Trump’s special envoy, Jeff Landry, following reports that he had been invited to attend the country’s annual dog sled race.
The Greenland Dog Sledding Association (KNQK) said it was informed that the private tourism company, which invited Landry, had withdrawn the invitation independently. In a Facebook post, the federation described the development as “reassuring” and stressed that it had never supported foreign political figures attending the event.
KNQK earlier called the invitation “totally inappropriate,” saying the race represents culture and sport, not politics. The group said it opposes outside political pressure, especially from foreign governments.
Who Is Jeff Landry, and Why His Visit Sparked Backlash
Jeff Landry, who also serves as governor of Louisiana, was appointed last month as Trump’s special envoy for Greenland. Trump tasked him with advancing US interests in the Arctic territory.
Landry previously described the appointment as an “honour” and said he would work to make Greenland “a part of the US.” Those remarks triggered alarm among Greenlandic and Danish officials, who view Greenland as an autonomous territory within the Danish kingdom.
KNQK later announced it had launched an inquiry into how the invitation was issued in the first place after learning about it from an American journalist.
A Familiar Controversy for Greenland
The incident echoes a similar episode last year when Usha Vance, wife of US Vice President JD Vance, planned to attend the same dog sled race during an uninvited visit. Danish opposition forced the cancellation, and her itinerary shifted to a US military base instead.
As Trump continues to criticise Denmark’s Arctic defense and highlight Greenland’s strategic value, the Sirius Dog Sled Patrol has become both a military symbol and a political flashpoint.
The Sirius Dog Sled Patrol may look traditional, but it represents modern sovereignty in one of the world’s most contested regions. As Arctic competition intensifies, the patrol’s quiet presence sends a clear message: Denmark remains on the ground, on the ice, and in control.
