A team of four American soldiers spent this week measuring and mapping the runway and other possible military facilities at Narsarsuaq in southern Greenland.
Footage from the settlement of Narsarsuaq, filmed by DR, shows the soldiers driving on the runway with what appears to be advanced surveying instruments. U.S. Northern Command confirmed to DR that the specialists are conducting technical studies of the runway and other facilities at the site.
According to a spokesperson for U.S. Northern Command, the team is collecting general information about the airfield. That includes dimensions, existing facilities and runway characteristics, for possible use by the United States, Denmark or other NATO allies.
The command stated that the mapping is taking place in close cooperation with the government of Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark. The stated aim is to examine future operational possibilities at Narsarsuaq.
The soldiers belong to the U.S. Navy’s Naval Construction Force, known as the Seabees, the northern command confirmed to DR. The unit builds and repairs airfields, harbors, roads and camps so American forces can operate where infrastructure is limited or damaged.
The engineers were sent by Special Operations Command North, a military authority under U.S. Northern Command. Among its purposes is creating advantageous strategic positions for the United States.
Not part of the Danish exercise
A larger Danish military exercise, Arctic Shield, is taking place around the airfield in these days. Major Christian Mogensen, who leads Arctic Shield in Narsarsuaq, told DR the Americans are in no way part of the exercise and referred questions to the Danish Defence Command.
The Defence Command told DR that the American specialists are carrying out so-called site surveys of the location. The authority described the work as part of strengthening security in and around Greenland in close cooperation with allies.
The Defence Command did not answer whether the survey is aimed at opening a new American base in Greenland. The soldiers were flown to the site by a Danish EH-101 military helicopter, according to DR.
Narsarsuaq is long familiar territory for the U.S. military. Under the name Bluie West One, it was among the largest and most important American bases in Greenland from World War II until 1958, after which it mainly served as a civilian airport. DR reported in the spring that a U.S. Marine Corps representative had inspected the area and its facilities.
Greenland’s government, Naalakkersuisut, told DR that its Department of Foreign Affairs is also involved in this week’s activities. The department stated that Naalakkersuisut and the Danish Ministry of Defence recently decided to conclude an agreement keeping Narsarsuaq Airport temporarily open for one year.
That period is intended to clarify the long-term needs of the Danish military, allies and NATO for using the airport. The department did not answer whether the technical surveys form part of a possible American takeover of Narsarsuaq Airport. Denmark’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs declined to elaborate on any connection to the working group established between Greenland, the United States and Denmark.
