Military Bases in Greenland
Helping military families thrive in Greenland.
Air Force Bases
Thule Air Base
Located in Thule, Greenland
Thule Air Base sits in Thule, Greenland, and is operated by the United States Air Force. As the military's northernmost installation, it supports missile warning, space surveillance, and satellite control missions.
Greenland’s Arctic Sentinel
For U.S. military members and families on PCS or TDY to Greenland, Pituffik Space Base in northwestern Greenland is the sole U.S. military installation, operated by the U.S. Space Force as the Department of Defense’s northernmost base. Located 750 miles north of the Arctic Circle, Pituffik supports missile warning, space surveillance, and Arctic defense under U.S.-Denmark NATO agreements. This guide to military bases in Greenland offers insights into its role, historical significance, economic impact, and community support, ensuring a rewarding assignment in this remote Arctic outpost.
Historical Foundations
Pituffik’s military history began during World War II. In 1941, after Germany occupied Denmark, the U.S. established weather and radio stations across Greenland, including Bluie West-6 at Thule, operated by Danish personnel. In 1951, under the U.S.-Denmark Greenland Defense Agreement, the U.S. began constructing Thule Air Base under Operation Blue Jay, relocating Inuit residents to Qaanaaq. Renamed Pituffik Space Base in 2023 to honor Greenlandic heritage, the base transitioned to the U.S. Space Force in 2020, reflecting its focus on space operations. This history underscores Pituffik’s strategic evolution.
Economic Impact
Pituffik Space Base contributes significantly to Greenland’s remote economy, employing 150 U.S. Space Force Guardians, 450 contractors, and Danish and Greenlandic personnel. The base’s $100 million annual budget supports operations in Pituffik and Qaanaaq, with Greenland Contractors managing daily services like kitchens and lodging. Infrastructure upgrades, including a $1.73 billion dry dock expansion in 2024, create local jobs. Personnel access 200 housing units, a consolidated school, and a clinic. MWR programs, like 2025 Arctic fox tours and base bowling, boost morale in this isolated region.
Key Military Facilities
Pituffik Space Base (Pituffik): Operated by the 821st Space Base Group, it hosts the 12th Space Warning Squadron for missile defense and 23rd Space Operations Squadron for satellite tracking, with 150 U.S. personnel.
Thule Tracking Station (Pituffik): A Remote Tracking Station (callsign POGO) for the Satellite Control Network, supporting 20,000 annual satellite contacts, with 50 personnel.
Pituffik Airfield (Pituffik): A 10,000-foot runway open year-round, supporting C-130 and C-17 operations, with 30 personnel.
North Star Bay Port (Pituffik): The world’s northernmost deepwater port, resupplied annually via Pacer Goose Sustainment, with 20 personnel.
Strategic Importance
Pituffik Space Base is a linchpin for U.S. Arctic defense. The 12th Space Warning Squadron’s Upgraded Early Warning Radar detects 1,000 ballistic missile launches yearly, providing critical data for missile defense. The 23rd Space Operations Squadron’s Thule Tracking Station conducts 20,000 satellite contacts, tracking 30% of U.S. orbital assets. The base’s 2024 infrastructure upgrades, including radar enhancements, bolster space domain awareness. Pituffik Airfield supports 200 annual airlift missions, while North Star Bay Port enables resupply for 600 personnel. These facilities ensure U.S. security despite unconfirmed 2024 security concerns.
Notable Distinctions
Pituffik Space Base, at 254 square miles, is the U.S.’s northernmost military installation, locked in ice nine months yearly, with constant darkness from November to February. It hosts the world’s northernmost deepwater port and supports unique Arctic research. The base offers 200 housing units, a USO center, and MWR events like 2025 ice fishing, fostering resilience in extreme conditions. Its 2023 renaming honors Greenlandic Inuit heritage, reflecting U.S.-Denmark cooperation in this Arctic stronghold.
U.S. service members on PCS to Greenland or TDY in Greenland will find mission-critical roles and a tight-knit community at Pituffik Space Base. From the Arctic’s polar bear sightings to Qaanaaq’s Inuit traditions, Greenland’s base provides robust support, education options, and unforgettable experiences for military families in this remote frontier.