Ukrainians, Danes, Americans resupply remote outpost

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Lisa Meiman
  • 821st Air Base Group Public Affairs
THULE AIR BASE, Greenland (AFNS) --  Thule Air Base was the scene of an historic event of multinational cooperation between three countries that less than 20 years ago glared at each other across the Cold War's Iron Curtain.

American, Danish and Ukrainian air forces successfully completed Operation Brilliant Ice 2009 March 26 after transporting more than 140,000 gallons of fuel and 17 tons of supplies to the Danish military outpost, Station Nord, 600 miles northeast of here.

The operation, nicknamed "Cossacks on Ice," began March 9 and required 16 trips on a Ukrainian IL-76 Ilyushin aircraft to transport the supplies.

Although Operation Brilliant Ice is an annual operation, this year marks the first time Ukrainian air force strategic airlift provided the transportation from Thule to Station Nord and back. Thule was the base of operations for sustaining and maintaining the Ukrainian crews and aircraft.

"We have always supported the complex and impressive resupply operations to Station Nord," said Col. Tom Peppard, 821st Air Base Group commander, "but the addition of the Ukraine involvement made this year's operations even more incredible.  We're proud to be part of such a partnership that would have been impossible only 20 years ago."

To check on the status of the operations and to commemorate the historic event, numerous delegates from Denmark and Ukraine visited Thule in mid-March.

"Ukraine is living up to our wildest expectations," said Brig. Gen. Max A.L.T. Nielsen, Denmark Tactical Air Command acting commander. "The crew set a record in lifting fuel in one day March 18, transporting (10,223 gallons) in one trip. If done by Denmark, it would have taken more than two flights on our C-130s. This in itself shows the advantages of Ukraine's strategic airlift."

The outpost exists for enforcement of sovereignty and scientific purposes, and five Danish service members are stationed there year round. The royal Danish air force is tasked with supplying Station Nord.

In past years, Denmark's Tactical Air Command conducted resupply operations with C-130 Hercules aircraft, but Denmark's support to the war on terrorism required changes.

"With Denmark's Tactical Air Command engaged in different operations in Afghanistan, we were close to being overtasked," General Nielsen said. "Through the cooperation between Denmark and Ukraine, we learned about their strategic airlift capabilities. That was how this partnership evolved."

The delegation also visited numerous organizations on Thule to learn about its missions and responsibilities during their stay.

"As always, the American hospitality at Thule is never ending. We are greatly enjoying the visit," General Nielsen said.

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