On May 6, the Ukrainian IL-76 aircraft, together with the crew, returned to Ukraine after the successful completion of the joint Ukrainian-Danish mission to resupply a military and scientific station on the northern tip of Greenland in the Arctic.

The Ukrainian pilots of 25th Transport Air Brigade transported more than 700,000 liters of fuel, other items, and assets during about 25 flights (120 hours)  from U.S. airbase Thule to Station Nord, the Danish polar station in Greenland as part of the joint Ukrainian-Danish Northern Falcon 2018 mission.

They have had accomplish tasks in inclement weather conditions in Greenland (at a temperature below 50 degrees Celsius, wind speed up to 15-20 meters per second, stormy weather).

In a month-long mission was take part 22 pilots and ground personnel, as well as coordinators from Ukraine’s Air Force Command, led by Col. Serhii Artemenko.

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According to Ukraine’s Defenсe ministry press service, the Ukrainian Il-76MD military cargo aircraft was chosen to lead the mission due to its unique technical capabilities: the airlifter’s onboard crane equipment allows loading and unloading without any additional airfield equipment, which gives the aircraft an advantage over NATO-operated airlifters such as the C-130 Hercules or C-17 Globemaster.

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The Northern Falcon 2018 mission has been organized for the tenth year in row as a part of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Ukrainian and Danish Ministries of Defence.

Photos by  Igor Lesiv / spotters.net.ua