US surveys closed Greenland runway, raising local concern

US soldiers have begun conducting technical surveys at the closed runway in Narsarsuaq, a historic airport settlement in southern Greenland, according to DR. The activity has caused unease among local residents.

“When I hear about it, I think Donald Trump is fumbling around here, trying to feel his way forward. I do not really trust what is going to happen,” said Kunuk Grønvold, one of the residents who still lives in the settlement.

Many residents have moved away since the airport closed in April. The closure has also reduced the number of tourists reaching Narsarsuaq, which lies deep inland at the end of a fjord and beneath a glacier.

“It has affected everyone,” said Grønvold, who works at the local grocery shop. He said some former residents were homesick and wanted to return to the place where they felt they belonged.

Grønvold hopes flights will eventually return, but not with American flags on their tails. He said local residents should have the first say in what happens next and that he would prefer Danish or European defence forces.

US Northern Command confirmed to DR that a team of specialists is carrying out “technical surveys” to assess “future operational possibilities at Narsarsuaq”.

“The team is collecting standard information about the airfield, such as its dimensions, existing facilities and runway characteristics, for possible use by the United States, Denmark or other NATO allies,” a spokesperson wrote to DR.

The command said the mapping was being conducted in close cooperation with Greenland’s government and the Kingdom of Denmark.

DR also reported in April that a US Marine officer had visited the settlement and examined the airfield and harbour. Although Narsarsuaq airport was previously a US military base, Grønvold said the situation was now different.

“Statements from the United States about taking over Greenland cannot and should not be forgotten,” he said. “As long as the current administration in the US remains in place and acts as it does, it would be wise for us to be a little more cautious about how we view the United States.”