The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) announced on Monday that military aircraft will soon arrive at Greenland’s Pituffik Space Base as part
of “long-planned NORAD activities,” stressing that the deployment is routine and coordinated with Denmark. Greenland has also been informed, and all operations are proceeding with the necessary diplomatic clearances. NORAD, a joint US-Canada military organization responsible for aerospace monitoring and defense, said the aircraft will support sustained and dispersed operations across its three regions, Alaska, Canada, and the continental United States. The command emphasized that such deployments are a regular part of defending North America and reflect ongoing defense cooperation between the United States, Canada, and the Kingdom of Denmark. NORAD wrote on X: "North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) aircraft will soon arrive at Pituffik Space Base, Greenland. Along with aircraft operating from bases in the continental United States and Canada, they will support various long-planned NORAD activities, building on the enduring defense cooperation between the United States and Canada, as well as the Kingdom of Denmark. This activity has been coordinated with the Kingdom of Denmark, and all supporting forces operate with the requisite diplomatic clearances. The Government of Greenland is also informed of planned activities. NORAD routinely conducts sustained, dispersed operations in the defense of North America, through one or all three NORAD regions (Alaska, Canada, and the continental U.S.)." The announcement comes at a time of heightened political tension following President Donald Trump’s renewed push for US control of Greenland, a self-governing territory within Denmark’s kingdom. Trump has threatened to impose tariffs of up to 25% on eight European countries until a deal is reached for the United States to purchase Greenland. He has also suggested that global security would not be assured until Washington controls the strategically located Arctic territory, though he has declined to say whether force would be used.
Pituffik Space Base, formerly known as Thule Air Force Base, is a key US military installation in northwestern Greenland and plays a critical role in missile warning and communications.
Trump and his allies have repeatedly argued that the United States should acquire Greenland, pointing to its strategic Arctic location, vast mineral resources, and growing concerns over Russian and Chinese influence in the region. Both Denmark and Greenland have firmly rejected any such proposal, reiterating that the island remains under Danish sovereignty.
