WASHINGTON, September 19 — The United States has maintained a military presence in Greenland since World War II, and that footprint is now set to widen under a new permanent security arrangement announced by President Donald Trump. The arrangement expands American access to the island but does not alter Greenland’s territorial status, according to the announcement. No specific troop numbers or timelines were announced.
The roots of the US presence reach back to 1941, when weather and radio stations were established under the Greenland Treaty. Two years later, the US built Thule Air Base in northwest Greenland, which became a critical node in early-warning radar and bomber routes during the Cold War.
The 1951 Defense of Greenland Agreement between the United States and Denmark formalized US military operations on the island.
A Base With a New Name and a New Mission
Thule Air Base was renamed Pituffik Space Base in 2023, reflecting its role in space surveillance and missile warning. The base hosts the 821st Space Base Group and supports missions including the Ballistic Missile Early Warning System and space domain awareness. During the Cold War, Thule was a key staging point for strategic bombers and a refueling stop.
That history carries a darker chapter. In 1968, a B-52 bomber carrying nuclear weapons crashed near Thule, causing radioactive contamination and a major cleanup effort.
The incident led to renewed scrutiny of US nuclear operations in Greenland. The US also operated several smaller installations, including Camp Century, a nuclear-powered research station built in 1959 under the ice sheet, which was abandoned in 1967. Camp Century’s radioactive and toxic waste remains buried and could be released by melting ice.
Consultation Requirements and the Road Ahead
The 1951 agreement requires the US to consult with Denmark and Greenland on significant changes to its military presence. The new arrangement may involve upgrades to Pituffik Space Base and expanded rotational deployments, though no specifics were disclosed. Greenland’s location between North America and Europe makes it vital for transatlantic defense.
The island also hosts a US radar station at Qaanaaq and weather stations. The history of US military operations in Greenland is marked by cooperation with Denmark and periodic tensions over sovereignty and environmental impact.
What to watch next is whether Washington and Copenhagen detail the scope of the expanded access, and whether Greenland’s government presses its consultation rights under the 1951 agreement.
