NORAD to Deploy Aircraft to U.S. Base in Greenland

The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) announced that it will deploy its aircraft to the only U.S. base in Greenland.

The statement was published on NORAD’s official page on the social media platform X.

The aircraft are set to arrive shortly at Pituffik Space Base, a U.S. facility whose infrastructure has recently been approved for modernization.

It is specified that, together with aircraft operating from bases in the continental United States and Canada, they will support various long-planned NORAD activities, relying on defense cooperation between the United States and Canada, as well as the Kingdom of Denmark.

“This activity was coordinated with the Kingdom of Denmark, and all supporting forces are operating with the necessary diplomatic clearances. The Government of Greenland has also been informed about the planned activities,” the statement reads.

NORAD regularly conducts operations in support of the defense of North America.

Pituffik is the only U.S. military base in Greenland and a key early-warning site for missile threats.

Around 150 U.S. service members, along with allied personnel, are stationed at the base. It was established during World War II and gained its greatest significance during the Cold War as Thule Air Base. In 2023, the facility came under the control of the U.S. Space Force and received its current name.

The Pentagon plans to spend up to $25 million on modernizing the base. Most of the funds will be allocated to runway repairs.

NORAD

The mission of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) includes monitoring airspace and near-Earth space, providing warning of air or missile attacks, and conducting air and missile defense for the United States and Canada.

NORAD commands the air defense forces and assets of both the United States and Canada.

To monitor the air situation over the continental United States and Canada, both fixed and mobile radar systems are used. Fighter jets and airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft are continuously on patrol, and specialized satellites are also involved.