US military explores reopening abandoned Greenland air base for new facilities

The US military is assessing the closed Narsarsuaq air base in southern Greenland as a potential site for new military installations, with an officer recently inspecting the runway, harbor, and buildings, Danish broadcaster DR reports.

A US Marine Corps officer visited the soon-to-be-abandoned settlement of Narsarsuaq this month, examining the condition of its runway—scheduled for permanent closure this week—and evaluating the depth and accessibility of its harbor. According to airport director Finn Thomsen, the officer, representing the US Embassy in Copenhagen and Washington authorities, showed particular interest in whether the 2,300-meter runway could be reactivated in an emergency.

“Questions were asked about whether the runway could be used in an absolute emergency,” Thomsen told DR. “We explained that while white crosses will be painted on it and no support services will remain, the infrastructure itself will be preserved without heat or water.”

The officer also inquired about reopening the settlement’s hotel, which, like the airport, is shutting down as Greenland’s government shifts air traffic to a new facility in Qaqortoq, 60 kilometers away. Thomsen confirmed that the US representative was briefed on plans to mothball—but not demolish—buildings and installations.

Narsarsuaq, once home to the US military’s Bluie West 1 base (1941–1958), meets key American requirements for Arctic operations: a long runway and a deepwater port capable of accommodating large vessels. A 2023 photo provided to DR shows a 177-meter cruise ship docked at the harbor, demonstrating its capacity.

The inspections align with ongoing trilateral negotiations between the US, Denmark, and Greenland to expand American military presence under the 1951 Defense Agreement, which grants US forces access to Greenland while respecting Danish sovereignty. Updated in 2004 to include Greenland as a signatory, the agreement was described by General Gregory M. Guillot, head of US Northern Command (Northcom), as “very comprehensive and frankly very advantageous for our operations” during a March Senate hearing.

Guillot testified that the US seeks sites in Greenland with runways and deepwater ports to “enhance our ability to deploy fighter and refueling aircraft as a first line of defense against cruise missiles launched from the Arctic.” He also emphasized the need for special operations forces and naval port access. While Guillot did not name specific locations, a Northcom spokesperson later confirmed to The New York Times that Narsarsuaq is among three sites under consideration.

The US Embassy in Copenhagen declined an interview but acknowledged in a written statement to DR that a representative had visited Narsarsuaq.