| Slædepatruljen Sirius | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1941 - Present |
| Country | Denmark |
| Branch | Royal Danish Navy |
| Type | Special Operations |
| Role | Primary tasks:
Other roles: |
| Garrison/HQ | Daneborg (74° 18'N 20° 14'W) |
| Engagements | World War II |
Slædepatruljen Sirius (Sirius Sledge Patrol) or informally Siriuspatruljen (Sirius Patrol) is a unique elite Danish navy unit that conducts long-range reconnaissance patrolling and enforces Danish sovereignty in the arctic wilderness of Northern and Eastern Greenland, an area that includes the largest national park in the world.[1]
Patrolling is usually done in pairs, sometimes for 4 months often without human contact.
The Sirius Patrol has the ability to engage militarily, and has done so historically. Unlike other military units, however, the Sirius patrol is not expected to engage in combat operations. Its purpose is solely to maintain Danish sovereignty and police the area of responsibility.[2] The physical and psychological demands for acceptance into the unit are exceptional. Crown Prince Frederik patrolled with the Sirius Patrol[3]
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The unit was activated in the summer of 1941 during World War II to prevent German landings along the northeast coast of Greenland. The patrol discovered the German weather station Holzauge at Hansa Bay on the northeast coast of Sabine Island, which was subsequently destroyed by USAAF bombers from Iceland.
The unit is operationally under the Greenland Command and administratively under the Royal Danish Navy. The patrol represents Denmark's military presence in the northern East Greenland.
The patrol operates in the northern and northeastern part of Greenland from the west coast of Hall Land (Petermann Fjord and Glacier) to Kap Biot north of Fleming Fjord . The distance between the two points as the crow flies is about 2100 km, but the length of the coastline following all the fjords is far greater, around 16000 km. The Greenland ice sheet is not a part of the patrolled area. The unit is stationed at Daneborg (), and maintains personnel at Station Nord, Danmarkshavn and Mestersvig. The unit uses more than 50 depot huts scattered across the patrolled area. The depot huts are resupplied by small boats in the southern area, and by aircraft in the northern part.
The Sirius patrol consists of six dogsled teams for the duration of the year, each consisting of two men and 11 to 15 dogs. When traveling, each team carries approximately 350–500 kg, depending on the distance to the next depot. Currently there are 14 to 20 men serving in the patrol as of 2011.
Sledge patrolling is divided into two periods. Depending on when the ice becomes thick enough, the autumn patrol starts sometime in November, and lasts until 22 December. The sun sets for the last time around the beginning of November, and in the increasing darkness the winter storms get progressively worse and more frequent. Getting home before Christmas is therefore not always possible for members of the unit. Around the end of January, when the weather stabilizes and the sun reappears, the longer journeys begin and last until June, when the ice begins to break apart and drift southwards. During this period, the six sledge teams will cover a large part of the coastline, and within a period of 3 to 4 years all areas will be visited.
Volunteers for the Sirius patrol must have completed their compulsory service. At the try out seven men are selected to start on about 6 months of various training courses. Currently there are 14 to 20 men serving in the patrol as of 2011.
Courses
The courses run from December to the end of May. The final group consisting of six or fewer men is picked as late as 2–3 weeks before they go to Greenland for 26 consecutive months.
Due to the very special nature of Sirius sledge patrol operations, a wide range of unique equipment is required that is not normally used within the Danish armed forces.[2]
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