The installation initially featured a 10,000-foot runway, 125 barracks units, 6 mess halls, and the necessary infrastructure to support a population of thousands year-round. Since only half the runway was available each year for pilots to use, they had to be able to land and stop their aircraft on 4,000 feet of paved area, Marco says. "The summer will also bring out swarms of mosquitoes," the guide warns. Seafoam green was the color. It is located in the eastern part of Greenland. Aug. 2022. Because of its mission and inclusion as part of the NATO agreement, Thule Air Base is expected to remain a vital part of America's defense plan for decades to come. "We pursue a family atmosphere and strive to bring people together," Gallo said. They are also a distance from the base's central power plant that requires maintaining long pipes to transport heat to them. Greenland, which secured home rule from Denmark in 1979 and has been increasingly more autonomous following the passage of the Self-Government Act in 2008, has unsuccessfully attempted to compel the U.S. government to clean up the abandoned outpost, but so far the base remains a contentious diplomatic issue. Thule Air Base is located in the northwestern corner of Greenland, in a coastal valley 700 miles north of the Arctic Circle and 950 miles south of the North Pole. Modules provide some degree of privacy for the officers. could potentially reach Thule Air Base from Nagurskoye much faster than previously. This excess heat is going to be turned into steam that will be pipedby new pipesto other buildings on the base. The 13th Annual Hybrid Summit will be held on January 26th, 2023. 09/1963-09/1966. Deep within the Arctic Circle in Greenland sits one of the US's most isolated, and potentially critical, air bases. Since 2014, Thule Air Force Base has been a tense subject between the United States and Denmark. Don't miss anything about Donald Trump, Mette Frederiksen, Larry Kudlow, Kim Kielsen, Felipe Dana, Andrew Johnson, Thomas Jefferson and others. Hopefully, the base will never identify any. 8 pm. There were multiple projects being worked on during my time at Thule from a new dorm, to finalizing new consolidated facilities for vehicle maintenance and supplies, along with various power projects. Asphalt cannot be paved in cold temperature because it will not adhere properly and will fail . With all this in mind, cooperation with the Danish government remains more imperative than ever in order to keep this site in America's strategic portfolio, but the threat of climate change and the possibility of shifting international relationships means that this isn't necessarily guaranteed. Established in 1941 to aid Denmark in its defense against Germany, the base is just 947 miles away from the North Pole.. It also provides a handy photographic reference to the different levels of storm severity: "It's definitely a unique base," one airman formerly posted at Thule said on Reddit under the handle SilverHawk7. Thule's arctic environment offers some of the most spectacular scenery found anywhere in the world, including majestic icebergs in the North Star Bay, the massive polar ice cap and Wolstenholme Fjord-the only place on earth where three active glaciers join together. I consider it one of the better decisions and experiences in my career. Later when I was there (1968) the majority of work on daily maintenance and housekeeping was done by Danish civilians. The 821st Security Forces Squadron at Thule Air Base handles security of the 254 square-mile Thule Defense Area. The base, which was originally operated by U.S. Air Force's Strategic Air Command, had a multitude of missions throughout the Cold War, including supporting strategic bomber and reconnaissance operations aimed at the USSR. The U.S. Coast Guard ice breaker had sailed up the coast to break up the sea ice still frozen in . I also tested a cot and sleeping bag that will be . The 821st ABG chapel is open 24/7 so Airmen working shifts can use the sanctuary, multi-faith room, instruments and other amenities offered by the chapel. Today, the Air Force's 821st Air Base Group oversees operations at Thule. It is said that building this base was at least as complicated as building the Panama Canal. as well as other partner offers and accept our, Deep within the Arctic Circle in Greenland sits one of the US's most isolated, and, Thule is too distant to be the target of a conventional enemy attack, but it faces a profound everyday challenge: the weather. Also contingency lodging is also being renovated to provide living quarters for the over-flow of visitors. Snow-blinding winds howling in excess of 50-miles-per-hour, temperatures plunging below zero, and 24-hours-a-day without sunshine are commonplace and make it unlike nearly anywhere on Earth. Now, Thule Air Base exists largely to detect incoming aerial threats coming towards the US from across the North Pole and is home to over 600 US Air Force personnel as well as various scientists. Summer officially started for us on July 4th. Mafwa Kuvibidilapassed the flag to her successor Col. Timothy J. Bos. USAF personnel at Thule face winter temperatures that drop to as low as -47 degrees Fahrenheit and include winds that can peak as high as 100 knots. A small desk with chair, a metal bed and small refrigerator. The Thule Air Base in northern Greenland constantly does surveillance for possible incoming nuclear missiles from over the North Pole. The reason why this special region of the earth is mostly occupied by United States started in 1940 when Denmark made an agreement with the United States to defend it against German aggression. It makes sense then, that like Superman, who has his very own base forged from ice - the fortress of solitude, that the US military would have a fortress of solitude of their own. This could mean that one day Thule Air Base ends up reverting back to regularly supporting strategic bomber operationsa possibility that seems even more likely as of lateand hosting a permanent cadre of fighters for its protection. 2020. love the NCO CLUB AS A BARTENDER and the Gym every afternoon in 66 and 67 good go go dancers better than Indiana and. That strategic value took center stage recently when President Donald Trump stated that his administration was considering attempting to purchase Greenland from Denmark. In order to provide Camp Century with power, American engineers installed a nuclear reactor under the ice, a decision which the Danish government found problematic, to say the least. "For Thule it's a matter of looking at the best way to . US Army Corps of Engineers/JoAnne Castagna Paving the 10,000 foot long runway was performed in three phases one each year because the construction season was limited from June through mid-September. Strategically, it's interesting. The relocation to Thule Air Base is exclusively done on site, unless you plan to live in the wilderness. Located more than 1100 km north from the Arctic Circle and about 1500 km away from the North Pole, Thule Air Base is the northernmost military base located of the United States of America. China is also expanding its presence in the Arctic, prompting the Department of Defense to define the Arctic as an increasingly competitive domain. Earlier this year, the Pentagon warned Congress of China's high interest in the Arctic, including Greenland, and the country's potential to cooperate with Russia on the strategic issue. Immediately during 1941 the . USAF documents confirm that at least 29 service members were contaminated, but a 2001 USAF evaluation of Project Crested Ice states that the highest readings in samples from contaminated personnel were well below the annual limit of intake.. The aircraft was carrying four hydrogen bombs on a Cold War"Chrome Dome" alert mission over Baffin Bay when a cabin fire forced the crew to abandon the aircraft before . Thule AB is locked in by ice nine months out of the year, but the airfield is open and operated year round. Thule did play a part in the SR-71 Blackbird's history. They have UV lamps in most of the offices to try and offset this. In 2017, the Pentagon issued a statement saying it acknowledges the reality of climate change and the risk it poses and will work with the Danish government and the Greenland authorities to settle questions of mutual security.. When the steam reaches the other buildings, it will be converted into hot water to be used for heat. The place was mostly used to provide weather information during the war through a multitude of stations. Background. Because of its strategic value and early warning mission, Thule Air Base and its surrounding facilities will, unfortunately, be among the first military installations to be targeted in the event of a nuclear exchange. As of 2016, Russia has over 50 airfields and ports in the area, assets which may enable it to deny the United States access to the Arctic. Assignment Procedures As soon as you are notified of your assignment, contact your gaining unit and request to be assigned a sponsor. All of this consolidation work is needed to maintain readiness on the base. They were living on the ships that transported them until the headquarters was up. Here's what you should know about it. Runway information THU has 2 runways with a total length of 19,994 ft, of which 1 is lighted. This includes demolishing old facilities and constructing new ones that will be situated or consolidated more centrally near the hub of the base where the airfield, hangars, dining facility, hospital and runway are located, says Stella Marco, project manager, New York District, US Army Corps of Engineers. It shows a missile raised on the launcher during AG tests. Email. Luckily for soldiers serving in one of the most remote places in the world, each of the rooms is provided with internet service. USAF Rising Star, used during the 2 months a year Thule, AFB's port is open -- 130925-F-ZZ999-001.jpg. While it is probably correct to state that Thule AFB became operational before 1953, it was far from being completed at that time. The Thule Air Base Weather Group had not issued a wind warning, and no Phase Alert had been announced. Thule Air Base plays host to a variety of operations, including those concerned with ballistic missile early warning and defense. Restrictions at Thule AFB include no pets. My military career has taken me many places but none so remote as Thule. Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. There is no 'off-base' except for the bay, the ice cap and what appears to be thousands of miles of rocks and/or ice.". Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. The burning fuel and explosives melted the ice sheet, allowing much of the debris to settle to the ocean floor. This was my first time visiting Thule, an Air Base located 700 miles north of the Arctic Circle and only 900 miles from the North Pole. USAF personnel assigned to Thule are welcomed to "the top of the world" with an orientation document outlining the unique challenges of living in such a remote, inhospitable environment. Geographic data Municipality The Air Force's only tugboat, "Rising Star," saves six lives as Thule Air Base, Greenland, coordinates a rescue at sea Monday, Aug. 3. "The closest Inuit (native Eskimo) village, Qaanaaq, is located 65 miles away. Passengers can fly to and from the airport with a scheduled service. The missiles would be placed some four miles apart and controlled by a total of 60 hardened Launch Control Centers (LCCs) dispersed under the ice surface. In addition to new living quarters being constructed and renovated, the aircraft runway was just reconstructed and repaved in asphalt as were the surrounding aprons and taxiways. Alongside military investment, as part of a recent agreement, the US has also agreed to support Greenland in a number of other civil enterprises such as education and tourism. The word remote in the military community means serving a tour without your family. The Air Force is aware of the hardships inherent in serving at a base over 700 miles north of the Arctic Circle, and makes an extra effort to attend to the needs of the small number of personnel it sends. The thawing camp has been estimated to contain hundreds of thousands of gallons of diesel fuel, wastewater, radioactive coolants, and toxic organic compounds such as PCBs. Still, one would think for secretive flying assets, the remote and strategic location with ample hangar space and a tiny population would be an ideal place to deploy them from when the mission warrants it, especially in this age of new friction between the U.S. and Russia and the latter's designs on the region. This is a bit basic and blank as is but the elements are . She says the new dorms were constructed more into suites or modular units and are more conducive to privacy and to providing proper rest, relaxation and personal well-being. Canada Goose reported a 19% rise in sales in the quarter ended Oct. 2 as affluent consumers continued to spend. Throughout this time, the Army Corps under extreme weather conditions and less daylight hours, has helped the base fulfill its mission by constructing many structures, including several dormitories, an aircraft runway and surrounding apron, and taxiways, and a medical facility. Army engineers determined that keeping thousands of miles of ice tunnels from collapsing was too great a technical challenge and cost. Half the runway was paved one year and the other half was paved a second year. Again, there's no town outside of the base for another 65 icy miles. Thule is too distant to be the target of a conventional enemy attack, but it faces a profound everyday challenge: the weather. "They bring in free pizza from the club and basically game until midnight.". Thule Air Base. Base Specific Policy During your orientation, the ADL or UH Management Office representative will inform you of all Air Force and base-specific policies. Copyright 1998 MilitaryBases.com Not affiliated with any government agencies. Not that there's much else to do additional entertainment opportunities on base include a bowling center, a fitness center, an activities center, and a consolidated club that has events ranging from Halloween parties to Viking events. Thule Air Base is also home to the 821st Air Base Group and is responsible for air base support within the Thule Defense Area for the multinational population of "Team Thule". This tension arose after the Pentagon awarded a contract to a US defense company rather than a Danish-Greenlandic company as a decade-long agreement between the two nations had been established. It is located in the eastern part of Greenland. In 2016, scientists observed that rapidly melting sea ice could soon expose the buried weapons, sewage, fuel, and pollutants at Camp Century within the next 90 years. ADD AN EVENT. . One of the most unique and arguably misery-inducing features of Thule is the fact that the base experiences constant darkness from November through February, as well as constant sunlight from May to August. lead slug. Over the years, it has been speculated that the base is an ideal location to launch clandestine spy flights against Russian interests in the region. These new and renovated buildings are going to be heated with an upgraded heating system. 821 Air Base Group (821st ABG) The mission of the 821st Air Base Group is to operate and maintain Thule Air Base in support of missile warning and space surveillance operations . In just a few years, the site became a very strategical point of the USA. While Trumps comments were widely lampooned in the international press and flat out rebuffed by the Danish government, the pipe dream of purchasing an autonomous region from an ally is in fact somewhat rooted in American and NATO military policy. In its launch position the warhead of the Iceman would be about 3 feet beneath the surface and able to withstand an overpressure of at least 30 psi. That area includes a ballistic missile early warning system, satellite control and tracking facilities, the air base, and the seaport which is only accessible for a short period during the summer. This included members of the US Army Corps of Engineers, New York District. THULE AIR BASE, Greenland - A Royal Canadian Air Force CH-149 Cormorant Search and Rescue helicopters positions itself on the airfield in preparation for Operation NOBLE DEFENDER at Thule Air Base, Greenland, March 14, 2022. Although there are still things to do beyond the wire:the welcome guide advertises a wide range of additional activities including the Thule marathon, local guided tours of the surrounding area, and a summer skeet shooting range. The 2022 Virtual Mens Round Table will be held in November from 1 3 PM EST via Zoom. Thule Site J (J-Site) is a United States Space Force (USSF) radar station in Greenland near Thule Air Base for missile warning and spacecraft tracking.The northernmost station of the Solid State Phased Array Radar System, the military installation was built as the 1st site of the RCA 474L Ballistic Missile Early Warning System and had 5 of 12 BMEWS radars. Here is an overall view of Thule Air Base with Mt. Hover over the graph for more information. Now the Army Corps is helping once again, by consolidating and modernizing the bases infrastructure. In 1950 the Air Force began constructing Thule Air Base in secret under the project name Operation Blue Jay. The United States' northernmost military base, The Thule Air Base, is located in Greenland. Outgoing 821st Air Base Group US Air Force CommanderCol. The Air Force Life Cycle . Superman is symbolic of the best of what the United States has to offer, and it is often that life imitates art, like art imitates life. In the early 1950s, the base's main mission was to be an aircraft refueling stop. Ex-NATO commander Philip Breedlove has mentioned in interviews that melting Arctic sea ice will open up new lanes for commercial shipping and maritime traffic between Asian markets and Europe and North America, meaning whichever superpower controls these lanes will be able to dictate the terms of international trade in the Arctic. Yes, it is stupidly cold. If the U.S. wants to compete with Russia in the Arctic, Thule is likely to become a key linchpin of that strategy. NATO allies such as Denmark, with strategic arctic access to the Arctic, have thus become key to Americas defenses in what seems to be a new Cold War brewing in the Earth's highest latitudes. Thule AB, Greenland BMEWS radar site. Both the base and the mountain close to it were named after a popular British viscount Robert Dundas. In the event of a missile launch threatening North America, the site will provide warnings and missile defense assessment data of incoming Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) and Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missiles (SLBMs). But a tour at Thule is truly a remote tour. The base has many buildings spread out over the entire base. The darker blue shadings represent the twilight phases during dawn (left) and dusk (right). And, we'd be interested. Thule, Greenland Service Schuyler Line Navigation Company, LLC (SLNC) supports the United States Air Force Base in Greenland with regular service from Denmark from July to early September. Thule AB exists today due to agreements between the United States and the Kingdom of Denmark, specifically addressing mutual defense. Thule Air Force Base is in the Arctic Circle. Today, Thule Air Base remains the United States militarys northernmost outpost, located well above the Arctic Circle and just 947 miles from the North Pole. The site is operated by the 12th Space Warning Squadron, a geographically separated unit of the 21st Space Wing at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo. Be prepared with the most accurate 10-day forecast for Thule air base, * with highs, lows, chance of precipitation from The Weather Channel and Weather.com Mark Seavey is editor of The Burn Pit, The American Legion's national blog site, and a writer for The American Legion Magazine. MOS 16b20. Situated among icebergs, vast fjords, and across four active glaciers, Thule Air Force base functions to protect the US from the threat of nuclear attack. But, it was without a clear owner the United States of America or Denmark. Thule's remote location makes serving on the base an experience far different from nearly anything else in the US military. 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The luxury brand trimmed its full-year outlook amid concerns about ongoing pandemic-related challenges in China, its largest market, while continuing to invest in long-term growth. Share it right here on My Home Base! Military Bases & Facilities. However, international diplomacy between these two countries is set to improve as a new agreement has been reached, and the Pentagon will award the contract to a Danish-Greenlandic company when it is set to renew in 2024. Frostbite, hidden pockets of water just below the snow, and snow blindness are everyday dangers faced by USAF personnel at Thule. Located in the arctic circle on the Danish-owned island of Greenland is Thule Air Force Base. Thules central power plant provides the bases electricity and heating. Share. Many of these old buildings are being demolished and new buildings are being constructed closer together to make them easier to reach and to save energy. Complete aeronautical information about Thule Air Base (Qaanaaq, Greenland), including location, runways, taxiways, navaids, radio frequencies, FBO information, fuel prices, sunrise and sunset times, aerial photo, airport diagram. As the Arctic sea ice continues to melt, the worlds superpowers are racing to establish permanent footholds in the Arctic not only for military strategy but for economic development. "Locals refer to them as the 'Greenlandic Air Force.'". However, it was also home to an infamous and bizarre research project known as Project Iceworm. These were buried in the ice along with the camp under the assumption that the ice sheet would permanently house them, but climate change is now threatening to unearth these pollutants. This improved relationship is increasingly vital to the US as the Thule Air Force base is set to become an even more essential element of national defense in an attempt to counteract military build-ups by Russian and Chinese military forces. Media in category "Thule Air Base" The following 50 files are in this category, out of 50 total. Thule is home to the 21st Space Wing's global network of sensors providing missile warning, space surveillance and space control to North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). While the clean up was deemed a success by the USAF, documents obtained by the BBC through the Freedom of Information Act suggest that at least one of the thermonuclear weapons may have been unaccounted for following Project Crested Ice. My room was in one of those gray barracks on the second floor just left of the stairway. It sees over 3000 flights every year. However, this base is an important aspect of the US military. " Good times ". World War II 4. 2022Recurrent Ventures. Thule Air Base is home to the 821st Air Base Group, which exercises air base support responsibilities within the Thule Defense Area for the multi-national and multi-cultural population of Team Thule. Yet it is abundantly clear that Russia is putting huge strategic importance on the Arctic, as evidenced from its many investments in the region, while the United States lags behind in terms of a permanent footprint above the Arctic Circle. The main mission of this unusual military base is to provide missile warning operations. About. These warning signals are sent from Thule Air Force Base in Greenland to NORAD command centers in Colorado. The area is the only place on Earth where three glaciers get together, not to mention about the impressive sightseeings with icebergs and polar animals. However, the first military construction was authorized in the summer of 1941, therefore the base was initially opened during World War II.
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