NATO has launched its new mission, called Arctic Sentry, aimed at strengthening its presence in the Arctic.

The new mission began as part of an agreement to ease tensions within the Alliance, which were triggered by U.S. President Donald Trump’s wish for the United States to take over Greenland.

The mission will coordinate the growing military presence of NATO allies in the region, including Danish military exercises such as Arctic Endurance in Greenland, according to NATO’s military headquarters.

“Arctic Sentry underscores the Alliance’s commitment to safeguard its members and maintain stability in one of the world’s most strategically important and environmentally challenging regions,” said NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe, U.S. Air Force General Alexus Grynkewich, adding that it “will harness NATO’s strength to protect our territory and ensure that the Arctic and the High North remain secure.”

Planning began last month

NATO began planning the mission after talks between Trump and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Davos last month, at the peak of the crisis surrounding Greenland. The crisis was sparked by Trump’s insistence that the U.S. should annex the vast Arctic island, which is an autonomous territory of Denmark, a NATO member state.

Rutte and Trump agreed that NATO would play a greater role in protecting the Arctic, while Denmark, the United States, and Greenland would hold further discussions on the issue.

Britain involved

Earlier today, UK Defence Secretary John Healey said that British armed forces will play a vital role in NATO’s Arctic Sentry mission.

The British government has also announced that the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) security alliance is planning significant military activity in the High North. Hundreds of personnel are expected to be deployed to Iceland, the Danish Straits, and Norway for exercises scheduled for September.

The JEF includes Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.