What is the US Space Force doing in Greenland?

Space.com ^ | 1/10/2024 | Julian Dossett

[Rio]

The Danish territory of Greenland and its strategic importance for the U.S. and NATO (the North Atlantic Treaty Organization) have been making headlines recently.

Largely lost in the media furor, however, are the reasons why Greenland is vital for North American security. One of those reasons concerns the role of a crucial military installation on the world's largest island: Pituffik Space Base.

"The Department of Defense has unveiled a new Arctic strategy, underscoring the region's critical importance to our national security and that of our allies," U.S. Space Force Chief Master Sgt. John Bentivegna said when he visited Pituffik in November 2024.

Pituffik (pronounced bee-doo-FEEK) sits on Greenland's northwest coast, 700 miles (1,126 kilometers) north of the Arctic Circle. That's already a strategic location, and it's likely to become even more important as the Arctic warms and allows more shipping traffic, mining and other commercial activity, experts say.

"Maintaining a strong presence and projecting power from the Arctic is paramount," Bentivegna continued. "We must fortify it, ensuring that we capitalize on our unique position at the top of the world to safeguard our interests and those of our allies."

As the Department of Defense's northernmost installation, Pituffik plays a key role in missile defense and satellite communication. The Space Force says the base's vantage point helps enable "space superiority."

[mabarker1]

Someone forgot to put the correct background color and lettering on the signs.

Joking aside Thank You for Your Service.

[TangoLimaSierra]

You mean the Thay mees?

Can't believe you got on first try.

[Mustard]

When I air crewed on C-141’s back in the early 70’s we’d fly into Thule to deliver cargo. All I remember is no trees and so freaking cold.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

I remember a very old joke, or maybe true story, about a military plane that landed at Thule and the poor guy servicing the plane was not working as fast as the General (or colonel depending on what version of it was being told) would wish.

The Airman was informed that if he did not pick up the pace the consequences would be unpleasant. To which he responded, "Sir, I am an Airman second class, stationed in Greenland, standing in the snow, pumping sewage out of your plane, after midnight. Just what do you plan to do to make this MORE unpleasant?"

[Allegra]

It’s former name was Thule Air Station. It’s been around since the 1960s.

Yep, my Navy pilot dad’s squadron did some exercises there. I remember Dad telling us how tricky it could be flying back from there due to instruments going wacky as they came off of the north pole.

[salmon76]

What is the US Space Force doing in Greenland?



Duh. How else are we going to stop The Thing?

[burndoubt]

The Space Force is in Greenland because they need LOTS of space. That’s exactly what Greenland has to offer.

[higgmeister]

And the saying was there is a girl behind every tree in Thule, Greenland.   The USAF Security Police had a fun time standing guard on the B-52 pads.

[higgmeister]

For those that hadn't a clue, the octagons had rows and rows of Campbell Soup cans with four small radar antenna blades that could be tuned in groups to look over the horizon for nuclear missile launch warning.   Fantastic technology from over fifty years ago.   There was one here in Georgia but it was cancelled early.

[Alas Babylon!]

The radar arrays could electronically fan the radar beams. They are a permanent micro-wave, rather than a sweep.

I worked inside for 3 years, my desk was right behind the (accessible) inside of those "cans" (the blue cylinders).

[TBP]

I would work with the Danish and Greenlandic governments to get a base there, and some mineral deals.

[higgmeister]

Just amazing.   I can see your grandkids asking what did you do in the Cold War?

[Scrambler Bob]

Greenland has a lot of empty space.

[Tom Tetroxide]

Deep Intel on U. S. Efforts to Buy Greenland
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATKsjXUZMxw