The operation’s first mission took place in August 2026, following several years of U.S. special operations training on the island. The framework will support recurring bilateral and multinational training to help teams operate together in extreme Arctic conditions.
“Our relationship with the Kingdom of Denmark is both enduring and essential to Arctic security,” said U.S. Army Col. Matthew Tucker, SOCNORTH commander. “Operation Apex Indigo strengthens our ability to work alongside Danish and Greenlandic partners, improve readiness in one of the world’s most demanding environments, and support collective deterrence across the Arctic.”
The command’s Greenland activities developed through Arctic Edge 23 and Arctic Edge 24, which included training with Danish, Norwegian and British counterparts. That work continued through Arctic Edge 26 before the inaugural Apex Indigo mission.
“Operating in Greenland alongside our Danish and Greenlandic partners demands more than simply enduring the environment,” Tucker said. “It requires specialized skills, disciplined preparation, and the interoperability needed to operate effectively in austere Arctic conditions.”
SOCNORTH uses small, specialized teams trained for austere Arctic conditions. Their work with Danish and Greenlandic partners focuses on readiness, mobility and the ability to operate together.
“Arctic defense requires an unmatched level of environmental experience and expertise,” said a Green Beret detachment commander with 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne). “Danish Special Operations Forces bring extensive Arctic experience that is critical to our combined training and interoperability.”
“Greenland’s vast distances and demanding conditions favor small, specialized teams that can operate with a deliberate, low-impact footprint,” Tucker said. The command said it works closely with its partners to limit disruption to local communities and the environment while developing operational readiness.
