Branch: U.S. Air Force / U.S. Space Force
Location: Pituffik, Avannaata Municipality, Greenland (Denmark)
Installation Type: Space Base
Status: Active

Overview

Pituffik Space Base, formerly known as Thule Air Base, is located approximately 1,200 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle on the northwest coast of Greenland, a territory of the Kingdom of Denmark. The installation was renamed from Thule Air Base to Pituffik Space Base on April 1, 2023, recognizing its evolved primary mission supporting space operations and missile warning. The base sits at 76 degrees north latitude – the northernmost U.S. military installation in the world. Originally established in 1951 as a Strategic Air Command (SAC) nuclear bomber forward base, Pituffik now operates early warning radars and space surveillance systems as part of the nation’s missile warning and space domain awareness mission.

Mission & Units

• Primary Mission: Provide strategic missile warning, space surveillance, and space domain awareness through the 821st Space Base Group’s radar and sensor systems; support Ballistic Missile Early Warning System (BMEWS) AN/FPS-132 radar operations; provide forward logistics support to Arctic and Northern operations.
• Major Units: 821st Space Base Group (host unit); 12th Space Warning Squadron (AN/FPS-132 BMEWS radar operations); 821st Air Base Group elements; Space Delta 4 operational support
• Tenant Units: NORAD/USNORTHCOM radar support elements; Danish Liaison Office; Sirius Dog Sled Patrol support (Danish military Arctic patrol); various space and intelligence community sensor systems

Location & Access

• Nearest Major City: Qaanaaq (Thule), Greenland (population approximately 600) – 120 km north of base (indigenous Inughuit community); Kangerlussuaq (Sondrestrom, site of connecting airport) – approximately 1,400 km south; Copenhagen, Denmark – approximately 3,700 km southeast; Ottawa, Canada – approximately 3,000 km southeast
• Nearest Commercial Airport: No commercial airport at Pituffik; military airlift only (C-130 from Kangerlussuaq or chartered flights); Kangerlussuaq has connecting commercial flights to Copenhagen; military airlift via the Thule Air-Sea Resupply Mission
• Gate Access: Controlled military installation; CAC/military ID required; no civilian public access; all access by official military orders and approved visitor authorization; extreme isolation – no road access exists to or from the installation

Population

• Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 200-300 (small permanent party, rotational contractor force)
• Family Members: None – unaccompanied tours only; dependent travel is not authorized
• Civilian Employees: Approximately 600-800 (large contractor maintenance/support workforce, rotational)
• Total Installation Population: Approximately 800-1,000

Key Facilities

• Medical: Military medical clinic; emergency and primary care; medical evacuation to Barseback Hospital in Denmark or Landstuhl RMC in Germany for serious cases; medevac planning is critical at this remote location
• Commissary: Limited commissary/BX services on base
• Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Small AAFES exchange; limited selection; all supplies airlifted or sea-lifted
• Fitness & Recreation: Fitness center; recreation center; limited outdoor recreation in extreme Arctic environment; unique Arctic wildlife observation (polar bears, Arctic foxes, seabirds); Northern Lights viewing exceptional; ski and snowmobile recreation; hunting and fishing in season (with permits)
• Schools: No schools – unaccompanied tours only; no dependent children present
• Childcare: Not applicable – unaccompanied assignment
• Veterinary Services: No veterinary services – pets not permitted on this assignment
• Legal Assistance / JAG: Legal assistance available through installation Judge Advocate; appointment-based

Housing

• On-Post Housing: Dormitory-style unaccompanied housing for all personnel; no family housing; barracks upgraded through recent renovation programs; all personnel live in government quarters
• Average Wait Time: Not applicable – all personnel in government quarters by assignment
• Off-Post Housing: Not applicable – no off-post community; the base is the only inhabited site for hundreds of kilometers
• OHA Rate Reference: Not applicable – all housing is government-provided

PCS & Newcomer Info

• Sponsorship Program: Contact gaining unit; 821st Space Base Group sponsorship program; Pituffik is a unique and challenging assignment requiring psychological and physical preparation for extreme Arctic conditions and isolation
• In-Processing: 821st SBG in-processing; briefings on Arctic survival, polar bear safety, cold weather gear issued, and mission-specific security briefings; mandatory safety training
• EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): Not applicable – unaccompanied assignment; EFMP not a factor for this assignment; personnel with family members who have special medical needs should coordinate with gaining unit regarding remote assignment deferment options

Local Area & Quality of Life

• Climate: Polar arctic; extreme cold in winter (average high -13F/-25C in February; temperatures regularly drop to -40F/-40C with windchill); short cool summers (average high 44F/7C in July); continuous daylight in summer (midnight sun approximately May-August); complete darkness in winter (polar night approximately November-February); blizzards common; sea ice dominates most of the year
• Cost of Living: Minimal personal expenses due to remote location; all food, housing, and services provided on-base; no off-base commerce; special pay and allowances compensate for hardship; sea-lifted supplies limit available goods
• Nearby Attractions: Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) in winter are spectacular; midnight sun in summer; Arctic wildlife including polar bears (strict safety protocols), Arctic foxes, seabirds, and occasionally musk ox; dog sledding in spring; unique extreme environment offers a once-in-a-lifetime professional and personal experience; Greenland icecap views; icebergs from Ilulissat Icefjord (UNESCO, approximately 800 km south)
• Spouse Employment: Not applicable – unaccompanied assignment

OCONUS-Specific Information

• SOFA: Defense Agreement between the United States and the Kingdom of Denmark governing U.S. forces in Greenland; Greenland is an autonomous territory of Denmark; Danish oversight applies; bilateral agreements specifically address Pituffik operations
• Host Nation Rules: Danish/Greenlandic laws apply; respect for local Inughuit people and culture required (though base is isolated from local population); Greenland is a UNESCO and environmentally sensitive area; environmental protection rules are strictly followed
• Curfew: No standard curfew; unit safety policies apply; polar bear safety protocols are critical – personnel must be escorted outside in many areas due to polar bear presence; night movement restrictions may apply
• Ration Card / Customs: Not applicable in traditional sense; all supplies managed through military supply chain; no local economy to purchase from
• Vehicle Registration: Base vehicles only; no off-base driving possible; snowmobiles and tracked vehicles used for base operations; vehicle safety training required
• Language and Culture: Greenlandic (Kalaallisut) and Danish are official languages; English widely spoken at the installation; awareness of Inuit cultural heritage of the region is appropriate
• Currency and Banking: Danish Krone (DKK); no local commerce; U.S. dollar and on-base financial transactions only; limited ATM access
• Travel Restrictions: All movement on and off base is by military airlift; no independent travel off-base to local area (no accessible local community); leave travel requires flight to Kangerlussuaq and commercial flights; polar bear safety restrictions limit outdoor movement; armed escort required outside designated safe zones
• Mail: APO AE address assigned; APO mail via military airlift; packages may be delayed due to limited flight frequency; plan accordingly for Amazon and online shipments
• Pets: Pets are NOT authorized at Pituffik Space Base; personnel must make alternative arrangements for pets before this assignment

Last updated: 2026-02-23
Sources: https://www.spacebase.spaceforce.mil; https://installations.militaryonesource.mil/in-depth-overview/thule-air-base; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PituffikSpaceBase; Joseph L. Jordan, Attorney at Law