Posted on 06/30/2025 3:03:23 PM PDT by Right Wing Vegan
Greenland is now shifted from the US European Command area of responsibility to the US Northern Command area of responsibility. The change will strengthen the defense of the US homeland and contribute to deepening relationships with Arctic allies, according to Pentagon’s chief spokesperson.
The US Northern Command is taking over command of US military operations in and around Greenland from the US European Command. The shift was initiated after an order from US President Donald Trump, as informed by the US Department of Defense last week.
"Consistent with the President's intent and the Interim National Defense Strategic Guidance, this change will strengthen the Joint Force's ability to defend the U.S. homeland, contributing to a more robust defense of the western hemisphere and deepening relationships with Arctic allies and partners," states Sean Parnell, Chief Pentagon Spokesperson.
This measure takes place in connection with a review of the US command structure and may be based on military considerations. At the same time, it sparks attention due to Trump's repeated demands for US control over Greenland and the fact that he has not ruled out the use of military force to attain this.
In a recent congressional hearing, the US Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, was asked several questions on whether the Pentagon has plans to take Greenland and Panama with force, to which he avoided a direct reply.
"Our job at the Defense Department is to have plans for any contingency," said Hegseth.
Could lead to increased investments
Greenland is geographically a central part of the North American Arctic and crucial to the US homeland defense. The transfer of the island to the US reflects these circumstances and enables organizational clarity on homeland defense, former US DoD Deputy Assistant Secretary Iris Ferguson comments on Linkedin.
The US has the space base Pituffik (formerly known as Thule Air Station) at Greenland's northwestern coast. It serves a significant role within missile warning, missile defense, and space surveillance operations.
"This reassignment could elevate Greenland’s visibility in US defense planning, potentially bringing stronger investment and support for trilateral cooperation with Denmark and Greenland," Ferguson writes.
Warns against sable rattling
At the same time, Ferguson is clear on what she believes the shift concerning Greenland should not entail:
"The US and Denmark (which includes Greenland) are all members of NATO. Article 1 of the NATO charter commits us to refraining from the threat or use of force. As Rep. Mike Turner (R-OH) said recently, “I sure as hell hope it’s not” a signal of anything more aggressive. That’s a sentiment we should all share," she emphasizes, referring to the aforementioned congressional hearing with Hegseth.
Secondly, the measure should not entail marginalization of Denmark, underlines Ferguson.
"Denmark remains a key Arctic and NATO ally. Strategic cohesion in the region has been hard-won, and must be preserved. Reassigning Greenland should not come at the expense of trusted partnership," she states and continues:
"Shifts like this require more than internal reorganization. They require clear communication and sustained diplomacy, with Denmark, with Greenland, and with our NATO partners. Transparency and intent matter."
“sable rattling”?
P
I VOTED for THIS!
Trump heard Denmark was drafting women—and he saw his opening.
Giving ageing Santa a way station from the North Pole this Christmas?
I had not heard anything about this intention, let alone the event. How did he do this without Denmark or the majority Greenland politicians stopping it?
I want my sables unrattled. I didn’t realize there was an outbreak.
The US relationship with Denmark has nothing to do with US military structure/organization. The relationship with Denmark is unchanged, as the original basing agreement is unchanged.
Lol!
Under command of the same command that controls the military in North America. Just another step to achieving Trump’s ultimate goal for Greenland, USA.
“I want my sables unrattled. “
Bob, I think your sables are already unrattled.
1. Expect the unexpected
2. Trump is always right.
Why would Greenland or even Denmark etc object to having the greatest military in the world protecting them?
considering USA has been offering to purchase Greenland since 1868 (Seward, and Truman in 1946) and in view of the defense needs, it is probably time to complete a deal. Denmark says it doesn’t want to sell but Dm can’t afford to maintain (or defend) it anyway. Also, any purchase price is pretty clearly going down, not up, with further delay and Dm most certainly realizes all of this. A quick face-saving deal will be good all around (with or without a Thule Trump Tower Resort Hotel and Golf Course-converted-into-an-ice rink)
It is essentially a US military administrative re-alignment.
The Northern Command and European Command fall within the internal structure of US military organization, not NATO or any foreign country.
He should create a Department Of Greenland Acquisition.
DOGA
Long overdue. U.S. European Command (EUCOM) “owned” Greenland for operational purposes, but it was physically behind EUCOM’s NATO/ Russia focus. It essentially was landlord for a slate of activities that supported NORTHCOM, STRATCOM, and SPACECOM, but were supporting efforts, at best, to EUCOMs priorities.
This move should have been made when they stood up NORTHCOM.
Denmark doesn’t get a vote.
This move designates USNORTHCOM to take the lead on all contingency plans dealing with Greenland. So it’s an orientation of the staff to start doing the work.
It’s no different than USCENTCOM having the responsibility to do the contingency planning for the withdrawal from Afghanistan......oh.....wait.
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