Why is Trump sending JD Vance to a US military base in Greenland?

United States Vice President JD Vance is set to visit Pituffik Space Base in Greenland on Friday, marking another step in the Trump administration’s Arctic strategy.

Vance, who has become a prominent foreign policy voice for President Donald Trump, will be accompanied by his wife, Usha Vance, as he meets with US service members and receives a briefing on Arctic security.

The visit comes amidst increasing tensions between the US, Greenland, and Denmark. The Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has openly criticised the trip , calling it an example of “unacceptable pressure” on Greenland and Denmark.

Greenland’s Prime Minister, Múte Egede, also voiced concerns, stating that the visit could not be considered a routine diplomatic engagement given its implications for Greenland’s sovereignty.

What is the strategic importance of Pituffik Space Base?

Formerly known as Thule Air Base, Pituffik Space Base is the US military’s northernmost installation and one of the most strategically important military sites in the world. Established in 1951 under a defence agreement between Denmark and the United States, it provides the US military with a vital Arctic presence.

The base is crucial for missile defence and space surveillance. It houses an Upgraded Early Warning Radar system that detects missile launches and provides critical data for US defence operations.

“It is quite literally the outermost eye of American defence,” Peter Ernstved Rasmussen, a Danish defence analyst, told The New York Times. Approximately 150 US Air Force and Space Force personnel are permanently stationed there, playing key roles in Arctic security and global defence operations.

Additionally, Pituffik supports scientific research missions. Each summer, around 70 members of the New York Air National Guard arrive at the base with ski-equipped LC-130 aircraft to transport researchers and supplies to ice camps across Greenland.

Despite its small population of about 700 personnel, Pituffik remains a linchpin in US military strategy.

How long has US military presence been in Greenland?

The US military has had a presence in Greenland since World War II. After Nazi Germany occupied Denmark in 1940, Greenland was left isolated and undefended.

The United States struck an agreement with Denmark’s ambassador in Washington, allowing American troops to build airfields and weather stations on the island.

By 1941, US forces had established defensive positions in Greenland, monitoring North Atlantic routes for German submarines. This arrangement was formally solidified in 1951 with the US-Denmark defence treaty, granting Washington broad rights to operate military facilities in Greenland.

During the Cold War, Thule Air Base became a key Arctic outpost. The base hosted long-range bombers capable of reaching the Soviet Union and housed massive radar installations to detect missiles crossing the Arctic.

One of the more ambitious Cold War projects was Camp Century, a nuclear-powered base built under the ice in the late 1950s as part of Project Iceworm. The plan was to test whether nuclear missiles could be hidden and launched from beneath Greenland’s ice sheet. However, unstable ice conditions led to the project’s abandonment.

The presence of the US military has also had significant social impacts on Greenland’s Indigenous population. In 1953, around 130 Inuit were forcibly relocated from their homes near Thule to a harsher settlement further north, poorly suited for traditional hunting, reported The New York Times.

Although compensation was provided decades later, resentment over the displacement remains.

What are the tensions over Greenland?

Trump has repeatedly expressed interest in Greenland, reiterating earlier this month that “one way or the other, we will get Greenland.” This assertion has sparked strong opposition from both Denmark and Greenland, with officials stressing that Greenland is not for sale.

Greenland, a self-governing territory under the Kingdom of Denmark, plays a key role in Arctic security and is rich in natural resources. The Trump administration’s focus on Greenland has been met with resistance, particularly regarding concerns over sovereignty and military expansion.

While the 1951 US-Denmark defence agreement allows for an American military presence at Pituffik, the Igaliku Agreement of 2004 requires that Denmark and Greenland be informed of any significant operational changes at the base.

In recent weeks, Greenlandic officials have been increasingly vocal about the pressure from Washington. “We are now at a level where it can in no way be characterised as a harmless visit from a politician’s wife,” Egede stated, referring to the original plan for Usha Vance’s visit.

Danish officials have echoed these sentiments, with Frederiksen stating that “it is pressure that we will resist.”

Pituffik Space Base remains an integral part of the US defence network. With the growing threat of hypersonic missiles — projectiles that maneuver at high speeds and are difficult to intercept — early warning systems like the one at Pituffik are increasingly critical.

“Hypersonic missiles don’t go into space — they fly low, they maneuver, and we have no way to intercept them once they’re launched,” The New York Times quoted Troy J Bouffard, a retired US Army officer and Arctic defence expert. “That makes early warning more important than ever—and that’s where Pituffik comes in.”

As security challenges in the Arctic evolve, military analysts see Pituffik expanding beyond radar operations. “It could also serve as a forward staging base or a key line of communication,” Bouffard noted. “The more forward these locations are, the more useful they are.”

With US officials pushing for increased control in the region, Vance’s visit to Pituffik represents more than just a diplomatic trip — it signals Washington’s determination to secure its position in Greenland’s growing strategic importance.

With inputs from agencies