More than 15 years ago, Danish platoon commander Martin Tamm Andersen was leading his countrymen and U.S. Marines through the heat and sand of southern Afghanistan after a Taliban attack.
As Andersen’s vehicle moved at the rear of the column, everything was normal — until in one instant the world turned sand-colored. His body shook violently. “I had no idea what was going on,” he recalled. He ran his hands over his arms and legs to make sure they were still there.
When the dust settled, he saw one of his soldiers bleeding heavily from his face. Another had been hurled from the turret and lay on the ground, groaning in pain, his back broken in two places. The blast had torn the vehicle apart.
Andersen called in help from the U.S. Marines, who halted a firefight with the Taliban, returned to secure the site, treated the wounded and helped prepare them for evacuation.
At the time, American and Danish troops were comrades in arms who risked their lives for each other in a common cause.
Andersen can barely believe what has come of the U.S.-Danish alliance today as President Donald Trump escalates his threats to seize Greenland, a semiautonomous territory belonging to Denmark. Trump has repeatedly said the United States must take control of the strategically located and mineral-rich island, and views force as one way to get it.
“When America needed us after 9/11 we were there,” the 46-year-old veteran said.
“As a veteran and as a Dane, you know, you feel sad and very surprised that the U.S. wants to take over part of the Kingdom of Denmark,” he said.
“It’s a betrayal of the loyalty of our nation to the U.S. and to our common alliance, NATO.”
He spoke from the Danish War Museum in Copenhagen, where his armoured personnel carrier that hit the improvised explosive device in 2010 in Helmand Province is on display.
Before his deployment to Afghanistan, Andersen had also served in Iraq. Good friends were killed and wounded in both wars. He believed his service in the U.S. wars served the cause of freedom and democracy.
As the U.S. intensifies its threats to seize Greenland, that initial shock felt by many across Europe has evolved into a profound sense of sadness, betrayal and fear of what such a move could mean for Europe’s security at a time of Russian aggression. Denmark’s prime minister has said it would mean the end of NATO.
For Danish veterans, it feels profoundly personal.
A NATO member since 1949, Denmark has been a stalwart ally to America. Forty-four Danish soldiers were killed in Afghanistan, the highest per capita death toll among coalition forces. Eight more died in Iraq.
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