A high-level U.S. delegation, including Usha Vance and Vice President J.D. Vance, recently visited the Pituffik Space Base in Greenland, a critical component of the U.S. missile warning system. The visit, which initially faced criticism from both the Danish government and Greenland's autonomous administration, was eventually limited to the base, which has been under U.S. control since the 1950s.
Pituffik, formerly known as John Thule Air Base, is the U.S.'s northernmost base, strategically positioned to monitor space and provide early warning of missile attacks. The base's importance has been renewed due to concerns over hypersonic weapons developed by Russia and China, which pose a significant threat to North America. The U.S. military presence in Greenland dates back to World War II and was formalized through agreements with Denmark and NATO. The base is staffed by U.S. military personnel, as well as Canadian, Danish, and Greenlandic civilians. Pituffik's strategic location makes it vital for deploying future defensive assets against hypersonic threats.