U.S. Air Force Special Operations Forces airmen and Danish Frogmen navigate the ice sheet during a simulated search and rescue for Arctic Edge 202in Kangerlussaq, Greenland, March 7, 2026. (Benjamin Kimball/U.S. Air Force)
WASHINGTON — The U.S. is working to expand its military presence in Greenland to three additional areas as it seeks to add locations for special operations and establish permanent access to Arctic waters, the commander of Northern Command said Thursday.
The expansion would take place on defense areas that were created by a 1951 agreement with Denmark, which controls the semiautonomous territory, and allow the U.S. to close vulnerability gaps in an increasingly contested part of the world, according to Air Force Gen. Gregory Guillot.
“The need there is very real,” he said during testimony to the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Guillot said he wants to add numerous capabilities: space systems to enable the proposed Golden Dome missile defense system; the ability to launch fighters and tankers to be “the first line of defense” against cruise missiles that could be launched from the Arctic; and ports for special operations forces and the Navy.
“We’re very well established in Canada and Alaska and having more capability along what I call the 2 o’clock approach would be key,” he said, referring to Greenland’s location on the eastern side of the Arctic.
Pituffik Space Base in the northern part of Greenland, the only U.S. military base on the island, provides a lot of space capability but limited capacity for fighters and tankers, Guillot said.
Gen. Gregory Guillot, the commander of Northern Command, testifies during a Senate Armed Services committee hearing on Thursday, March 19, 2026, in Washington. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)
He described the discussions with Greenland and Denmark as “very productive” and said the 1951 agreement, which allows the U.S. to construct military installations, house troops and operate with broad operational authority within defense areas, is “very favorable to our operations or potential operations in Greenland.”
The negotiations came after President Donald Trump vowed to take over Greenland “the easy way” or “the hard way,” arguing it was vital for American security in the Arctic, where Russia and China are vying for military and commercial dominance.
The threats prompted a flurry of diplomatic activity and sparked fears that the U.S. would invade the territory of a NATO ally. Danish public broadcaster DR reported Thursday that Denmark flew bags of blood to Greenland in preparation for a possible invasion and planned to blow up runways to prevent American military aircraft from landing.
In late January, Trump backed off his demand to control Greenland and announced there was a “framework of a future deal.”
Guillot told senators Thursday that he has maintained a strong relationship with the Danish military and is seeking “new and improved” ways to work together.
The U.S. included Denmark for the first time in its annual Noble Defender air defense exercise with Canada this year and partnered with Danish forces again for Arctic Edge, a training exercise in locations throughout Alaska and Greenland.
“The cooperation and participation by the Danes in special operations as well as in fighters was outstanding,” Guillot said.
To maintain trust, the U.S. needs to be open and transparent with Denmark, he said, and explore partnership opportunities.
“I want to show that we are a valued partner and we can be trusted and I think we’ve been very successful in that,” Guillot said.
