The head of the US military base in Greenland, Colonel Susannah Meyers, has been dismissed from her position after she allegedly sent an email that distanced herself from Vice President JD Vance's criticisms of Denmark. The US military's Space Operations Command confirmed that Col Meyers was removed from her role at the Pituffik Space Base due to a significant loss of confidence in her leadership abilities.
Last month, during a visit to the Danish territory, Vice President Vance criticized Denmark for not adequately supporting the people of Greenland and failing to invest enough in security measures. His remarks prompted internal discussions within the military, leading to the controversial email from Col Meyers. The email, which was later published by a military news site, indicated that Vance's statements did not represent the views of the base's personnel.
A spokesperson for the Pentagon referenced the published email, emphasizing that actions undermining US leadership are unacceptable. Following Vance's trip to Greenland on March 31, Col Meyers reportedly expressed her personal stance, stating: "I do not presume to understand current politics, but what I do know is the concerns of the US administration discussed by Vice-President Vance on Friday are not reflective of Pituffik Space Base." Military.com, which released the email, confirmed its authenticity with the US Space Force.
In light of the controversy, chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell linked to the article from Military.com, reiterating that undermining the chain of command or attempting to subvert President Donald Trump's agenda would not be tolerated within the Department of Defense. The Space Force announced Col Meyers' removal on a Thursday, stating that Col Shawn Lee would take over her responsibilities. The announcement highlighted that military commanders must adhere to the highest standards of conduct, particularly in maintaining a nonpartisan approach in their duties.
During his visit, Vice President Vance also reiterated Trump's controversial desire to annex Greenland for security purposes. This statement was met with strong opposition from both Greenland and Denmark, who have since presented a unified front against any moves toward US annexation of the autonomous territory. Earlier this month, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen visited Greenland, standing alongside both current and former Greenlandic leaders, including Jens-Frederik Nielsen and Mute Egede. Frederiksen directly addressed Trump, stating, "You can't annex other countries," while also emphasizing Denmark's commitment to strengthening its military presence in the Arctic and collaborating more closely with the US in regional defense.
The United States has long recognized the strategic importance of Greenland, viewing it as a critical territory for national security. The US has maintained a military presence on the island since World War II, following Denmark's occupation by Nazi Germany. As highlighted by Marc Jacobsen, an associate professor at the Royal Danish Defence College, the fastest route for any potential missile attacks on the US would traverse the North Pole and Greenland. This underscores the immense importance of the Pituffik Space Base in the defense strategy of the United States.
Greenland, the world's largest island, has been under Danish control for approximately 300 years. Despite a strong desire among the majority of Greenlanders for independence from Denmark, there is little interest in becoming part of the United States. Since 2009, Greenland has had the right to call for an independence referendum, and in recent years, various political parties have intensified their efforts to push for such a vote.
