FACT CHECK: Why the United States already has military access to Greenland

"In 1941, at the height of World War II, occupied Denmark authorised the United States to build and operate military bases on Greenland, Denmark's then-colony in the Arctic, for as long as the conflict would last in a bid to protect the American continent. By the end of the war, the US had 15 military bases in Greenland. Today there remains just one, the Pituffik air base on the northwestern coast, which US Vice President JD Vance visited in March 2025."

"Greenland's location is highly strategic, lying on the shortest route for missiles between Russia and the United States. It is therefore a crucial part of the US anti-missile shield. Home to 57,000 people, Greenland "is an important part of the US national security protection," Marc Jacobsen, Arctic expert at the Royal Danish Defence College, told AFP. "The United States may increase their military presence in Greenland, but that's already possible under the existing accord," he said."

"Since 1951, a Danish agreement with the United States -- revised in 2004 -- gives the US military practically carte blanche to do what it wants on Greenlandic territory, as long as it informs Denmark and Greenland in advance. "The Government of the United States will consult with and inform the Government of the Kingdom of Denmark, including the Home Rule Government of Greenland, prior to the implementation of any significant changes to United States military operations or facilities in Greenland,""

Occupied Denmark authorised the United States in 1941 to build and operate military bases on Greenland to protect the American continent during World War II. By the end of that war the US operated 15 bases; today only the Pituffik air base remains. Greenland lies on the shortest missile route between Russia and the United States and forms a key element of the US anti-missile shield. The territory has about 57,000 inhabitants. A 1951 Denmark–US agreement, revised in 2004, grants broad US military freedom on Greenlandic territory provided Denmark and Greenland are informed in advance.

Read at www.thelocal.dk