US in Talks to Expand Military Access to Bases in Greenland
The US is negotiating access to more bases in Greenland, including former American sites, in what could become its first regional expansion in decades.
The New York Times reports that the United States is in talks with Denmark over access to three additional bases in Greenland, a move that would mark the first expansion of the American military footprint in the region in decades.
According to the newspaper, the discussions involve sites that were previously used by the US during the Second World War and the Cold War, before being handed back to Denmark and Greenland after the withdrawal of American forces. Among the locations of interest are Narsarsuaq and Kangerlussuaq.
The US military has not disclosed how many troops could be deployed to the island. At the same time, Pentagon general Gregory Guillot said the United States needs these bases to host special operations forces and naval units.
The New York Times also noted that much of the former military infrastructure at those sites has already been dismantled. Even so, some of the facilities still have small operating airports. Teresa Meadows, a spokeswoman for US Northern Command, said Narsarsuaq retains a deep-water port, while Kangerlussuaq has a long runway capable of handling large aircraft.