In a ceremony held on April 6, Thule Air Base was renamed to Pituffik Space Base. The new name is a reflection of the base’s role in the U.S. Space Force and a nod to its location in Greenland’s Pituffik region, which is where the base is located. This change recognizes the significance of Greenlandic culture and pays tribute to the local people who have helped maintain the base in the harsh Arctic environment.
U.S. Space Force photo by Senior Airman Kaitlin Castillo
The Pituffik Space Base is located about 750 miles north of the Arctic Circle on the northwestern coast of Greenland. Its new name reflects the importance of the base in the U.S. Space Force and its critical role in safeguarding the Arctic region.
At the renaming ceremony, U.S. Space Force Gen. Chance Saltzman spoke about the significance of the new name. He emphasized the importance of Greenlandic culture and people and how they have contributed to the sustainability of the installation in the harsh Arctic environment. The base’s role in the collective defense and stability of the northern Arctic was also highlighted.
Greenlandic Minister for Foreign Affairs, Business, and Trade Vivian Motzfeldt and U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Denmark Alan Leventhal also attended the ceremony, underscoring the commitment of the two countries to a shared defense. Motzfeldt expressed her pride in Pituffik and Greenland’s role in ensuring the security and defense of the people of Greenland, the United States, and the transatlantic community.
Leventhal echoed her sentiments, emphasizing the importance of the Pituffik Space Base in ensuring the safety and security of North America. He also emphasized the U.S. government’s commitment to deepening its ties with the people and government of Greenland.
The renaming ceremony was hosted as part of the Greenlandic Heritage Week festival, which celebrates Greenlandic Inuit culture. The festival is attended by residents from local villages, some of whom make the multi-day trek by dog sled across the sea ice to attend.
The Pituffik Space Base’s new name recognizes the importance of its role in the U.S. Space Force and its contribution to the collective defense and stability of the northern Arctic. The name change also acknowledges the significance of Greenlandic culture and the local people who have helped maintain the base in the harsh Arctic environment.
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