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SERVING THE BEST TROOPS IN THE WORLD  An Around the World Tour with our United States Armed Forces! Our Troops are stationed all over the world, let's go visit them! Today's stop - Thule Air Base, Greenland |
 Asujutidli! Welcome to Thule Air Base! 
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Thule is the U.S. Armed Forces' northernmost installation, located 750 miles north of the Arctic Circle. Thule's arctic environment offers some of the most spectacular scenery found anywhere in the world, including majestic icebergs in North Star Bay, the massive polar ice cap, and Wolstenholme Fjord, the only place on Earth where three active glaciers join together. Thule Air Base is home to the 821st Air Base Group, which exercises air base support responsibilities within the Thule Defense Area for the multi-national and multi-cultural population of Team Thule. The base hosts the 12th Space Warning Squadron, a unit of the Ballistic Missile Early Warning System, designed to detect and track intercontinental ballistic missiles launched against North America. The unit is one of many sensors the 21st Space Wing operates around the world to provide missile warning and space surveillance information to North American Aerospace Defense (NORAD) command centers located at Cheyenne Mountain, Colorado. Thule is also home to Detachment 3 of the 22d Space Operations Squadron, part of the 50th Space Wing's global satellite control network. Detachment 3 provides satellite command and control services for United States and allied satellites in polar orbits. Our modern aerodrome boasts a 10,000 foot runway and 2,600 U.S. and international flights per year. In addition, Thule is home to the northernmost deep water port in the world. |
  Background: In 1961, at the dawn of the space age, the Air Force established a satellite command and control facility to track and communicate with US satellites in polar orbit. Then called Operating Location 5 of the Air Force Satellite Control Facility, it is now known as Detachment 3, part of the 22d Space Operations Squadron. This site is a crucial element of the worldwide Air Force Satellite Control Network (AFSCN). As one of eight worldwide satellite tracking stations, Detachment 3 directly supports space operations by providing telemetry tracking and commanding to satellites developed and deployed by DOD, other US government agencies, and allied governments. Pituffik was the northernmost hunting village of Greenland's Inuit until the United States was given permission to build the Thule Air Base in 1951. By 1953 all residents of Pituffik and nearby Dundas moved (most by dog-sled) 80 miles north to the new town of Qaanaaq, commonly known at the time as "New Thule". Thule Air Base is run by the United States Air Force Space Command, under an agreement with the government of Denmark, which controls the foreign affairs of Greenland. Thule is primarily used as a base for research projects conducted by several countries.
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The mission of the 821st Security Forces Squadron is to provide protection for remote active duty units in a combined US, Canadian, Danish, and Greenlandic environment of over 800 military, civilian and contractor personnel, provide security for two operational units that execute missile warning, space surveillance and perform telemetry, tracking and commanding for US and allied satellites and manage the installation anti-terrorism program in coordination with local Greenlandic and Danish police forces.
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| The mission of the 12th Space Warning Squadron is to provide critical, real-time missile warning and space surveillance to the President, SECDEF, JCS, NORAD, and unified commands by operating a phased-array radar which continuously provides warning of sea-launched and intercontinental ballistic missile attacks against North America; and detecting, tracking, and identifying earth orbiting objects in support of USCINCSPACE's space control mission. |
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 Adding rocks to the pile at Mount Dundas is a tradition at Thule, the Air Force’s northernmost post. Left to right: Capt. John Ferko, Master Sgt. Craig Lincoln, Senior Airman Faith Fix, Master Sgt. Mike Shapiro, Capt. Randy Shackelford and Capt. Ira Neighbors carried stones up the 750-foot mountain. The mound has grown to more than 10 feet high over the years.  Greg Lambert lines up a shot during the 20th Annual Mount Dundas Open, the northernmost golf tournament in the world. More than 35 participants climbed 800 feet of shale rock to reach the nine-hole par-3 course, which overlooks the air base, the polar ice cap and iceberg-filled North Star Bay. The final 75 feet up Mount Dundas featured a rope climb up shear rock face, making it necessary to move golf clubs and other equipment by helicopter. Location: Northern North America, island between the Arctic Ocean and the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Canada. Greenland, the world's largest island, is about 81% ice-capped. Vikings reached the island in the 10th century from Iceland; Danish colonization began in the 18th century, and Greenland was made an integral part of Denmark in 1953.  Background: Greenland, the world's largest island, is about 81% ice-capped. Vikings reached the island in the 10th century from Iceland; Danish colonization began in the 18th century, and Greenland was made an integral part of Denmark in 1953. It joined the European Community (now the EU) with Denmark in 1973 but withdrew in 1985 over a dispute over stringent fishing quotas. Greenland was granted self-government in 1979 by the Danish parliament. The law went into effect the following year. Denmark continues to exercise control of Greenland's foreign affairs. Construction of Thule Air Base started (in secret) in 1951 and was completed in 1953 under the code name OPERATION BLUE JAY. The construction of Thule is said to have been comparable in scale to the enormous effort required to build the Panama Canal. The Navy transported the bulk of men, supplies, and equipment from the shipyards in Norfolk, VA. In 1957, Thule became home to the 74th Fighter Interceptor Squadron (FIS). The unit was deactivated in March 1960 leaving Thule without interceptor protection for the first time since September 1952. The Joint Chiefs of Staff rescinded this deactivation in June 1960, and the 332 FIS and its supersonic, all-weather F-102 Delta Daggers were assigned to Thule in August 1960. In 1961, a Ballistic Missile Early Warning System (BMEWS) radar was constructed at "J-Site," 13 miles northeast of main base. BMEWS was developed by the Raytheon Corporation in order to provide North America warning of a transpolar missile attack from the Russian mainland and submarine-launched missiles from the Arctic and North Atlantic oceans. When constructed, BMEWS Site 1 had four fixed antenna, 400 feet long and more than 300 feet high, which were larger than a football field turned upright! It was during this period that Thule reached its maximum manning, about 10,000 personnel.  Lt. Col. Joseph Dennis pulls Capt. Brint Woodruff out of the Arctic Ocean and onto the deck of the Sisak IV during a demonstration of Danish Police water survival suits. Airmen dove from the Sisak IV's roof, swam in 30-degree water and explored icebergs during the "open ship" event. Colonel Dennis is the 821st Air Base Group deputy commander and Captain Woodruff is the 821st Security Forces commander. Also in 1961, at the dawn of the space age, the Air Force established a satellite command and control facility to track and communicate with US satellites in polar orbit. Then called Operating Location 5 of the Air Force Satellite Control Facility, it is now known as Detachment 3, part of the 22d Space Operations Squadron. This site is a crucial element of the worldwide Air Force Satellite Control Network (AFSCN). As one of eight worldwide satellite tracking stations, Detachment 3 directly supports space operations by providing telemetry tracking and commanding to satellites developed and deployed by DOD, other US government agencies, and allied governments. Government Category: parliamentary democracy within a constitutional monarchy, part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark since 1979. Flag: The flag of Greenland, or Kalaallit Nunaat, celebrated its 10th anniversary on June 10, 1995. For this occasion, the Greenland Post Office, issued some stamps and a brochure explaining the flag. The text in the brochure is written by Thue Christiansen, the flag's designer. Christiansen makes some remarks about the natural features of Greenland, and then goes on to account for the symbolism of the flag: "the large white part in the flag symbolizes the ice cap and our fjords are represented by the red part in the circle. The white part of the circle symbolizes the ice bergs and the pack ice, and the large red part in the flag represents the ocean." In other interpretations the circle is seen as representing the rising and setting sun.  Weather: arctic to subarctic; cool summers, cold winters, Greenland weather is inhospitable, with summertime temperatures rarely reaching above the freezing mark. Wintertime temperatures in central Greenland are hostile with temperatures ranging from -20C/-4F to -60C/-76F.  Economy: The economy remains critically dependent on exports of fish and substantial support from the Danish Government, which supplies about half of government revenues. The public sector, including publicly-owned enterprises and the municipalities, plays the dominant role in the economy. Despite several interesting hydrocarbon and mineral exploration activities, it will take a number of years before production can materialize. Tourism is the only sector offering any near-term potential, and even this is limited due to a short season and high costs. Ethnic Groups: Greenlander 88% (Inuit and Greenland-born Caucasians), Danish and others 12% (2000)  Languages: Greenlandic (East Inuit), Danish, English  Otto (left) and 1st Lt. Lance Brenneke head toward home after a six-day dog-sledding expedition in northwest Greenland. Otto is a Greenlandic hunter, and Lieutenant Brenneke is assigned to the 821st Support Squadron at Thule Air Force Base, Greenland. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Dan Rea) Greenland is blessed with a peaceable people, and they generally show great openness to visitors. Greenland is a world of breathtaking beauty and strength on top of our planet, with a variety of fascinating activities for our Troops.  You'll experience icebergs almost everywhere in Greenland. In the Disko Bay, icebergs often rise up to 100 meters above the waterline - keep in mind that 90 percent of an iceberg is hidden below the surface of the sea. The world's most active glacier at Ilulissat moves 25-30 meters a day and calves across a front 10 kilometers in width. Greenland hosts several international events related to ice & snow, such as the Arctic Circle Race regarded as the toughest ski race in the world, the Ice Golf World Championships, and the Nuuk Snow Sculpture Festival.    The kayak is still used for hunting, especially in Thule. The kayak was originally developed by hunters in Greenland, and today kayaking is experiencing a renaissance. The fjords, straits and archipelagos are ideal waters, and several local tourist offices have sea kayaks for rental - from just a few hours to several weeks. A kayaking experience will most likely include icebergs, seals and whales. 
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There are many different species of whales in Greenlandic waters including the two largest, the blue whale and the fin whale. Humpback whales, mink whales, narwhales, beluga or white whales, sperm whales, pilot whales and Greenland whales are among the species here. |
| At sea you'll also see seals. An estimated two million seals live in Greenlandic waters. Walruses are primarily seen in north and east Greenland. |
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Your first encounter with large animals in Greenland usually takes place very soon after arrival. More than 3,000 musk oxen live in the area around Kangerlussuaq Airport and some of them can be seen in the immediate surroundings. A one-hour guided tour of the area will most likely include an encounter with these large, sedate animals. |
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| Greenland has no roads between towns, and no railroads either. To get around in Greenland you have to fly or - if time and sea ice permits - to sail. Flying in Greenland is a stunning experience. It's a unique chance to see glaciers flow between the mountains from the ice cap to the sea. With a view of the endless ice cap and a sea full of icebergs. Helicopters serve many of the domestic routes as not all towns have airstrips, and flying is often done with mountain views on both sides. |
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A cruise through Greenlandic waters is a visit to the world's largest sculpture park. Icebergs in all sizes and shapes are on display. Some gigantic, some more graceful, and all in an inevitable process of slowly melting away. Very slowly. Larger icebergs last three to four years and may drift all the way down to New York City before they vanish. The distribution of the icebergs depends on current and wind conditions. When sailing in Greenland the ship has to zigzag to make it's way ahead and almost squeeze in between the white giants. There is no hurry when the humpback whales come close. The captain will turn off the propeller. And remember, only one-tenth of an iceberg is visible above the surface! |
| The midnight sun can be encountered north of the Polar Circle. In Ilulissat, for example, the sun never sets from May 25th to July 25th, and during that period "normal" calendar time is virtually non-operative. It is light around the clock. At what used to be nighttime the soft, warm light and the long shadows from the low-hanging sun bring the scenic backdrops into dreamlike and almost supernaturally beautiful relief. |
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The northern lights are no less impressive. White, yellow, green and red they sweep across the dark sky in a state of eternal, rapid flux. Northern lights appear all year round in Greenland, but they can only be observed against a clear, dark night sky. The phenomenon is due to electrically charged particles from the sun entering the earth's atmosphere and being conveyed from there by the magnetic field lines. When the particles meet the molecules in the atmosphere, the northern lights arise, their color being determined by the nature of the molecules. |
Fast food? Nope! Fancy restaurants? Nope! Big screen and bar hopping? Nope! Around Thule, it's customary to stay on base. And there is plenty to do there!  Fitness & Sports Center - The 24 hour fitness center offers full court
basketball, soccer, badminton, tennis, floor
hockey, volleyball, as well as racquetball and squash
courts, full weight and nautilus rooms, and top-
notch cardio equipment.  Thule Base Library provides professional library services fulfilling the informational demands required for the Air Force mission, as well as leisure time recreational and educational needs for the military and civilian community here at Thule. The library collection consist of more than 9,000 English, 4,500 Danish and 400 Greenlandic volumes of technical, educational and recreational books. They have a special section on the history of Greenland and the Thule area.  The Game Room offers a GOLF SIMULATOR, AIR HOCKEY GAME, SOCCER GAME (Foosball) and coin operated PINBALL MACHINES.  Bowling Center - Featuring rental lockers, Leagues, Pro Shop, snacks, and Weekly, Monthly and Seasonal Tournaments.  The base has a very nice lounge, with a cozy and relaxing atmosphere. TV with VCR is available and pool and billiards tables. Coffee, tea, and hot chocolate are available free of charge daily, and Danish pastries are available on Saturdays and Sundays, mornings until they run out!  Everyone is authorized to eat in the Dining Hall. The Dining Hall offers a full menu service, as well as a short item service that serves burgers, fries, etc. It also has a full salad bar, as well as a fine selection of Danish items.  The Top of the World (TOW) Club is an all ranks club for military and civilian members. THE VIKING SPORTS LOUNGE is located in the TOW Club, and features darts, pool, music, and big screen TV.  The TOW Club Restaurant serves American and European cuisine in a formal setting for a special night.  Ajunnginniarnat! We hope you have enjoyed the visit with our Troops! FR CANTEEN MISSION STATEMENT~Showing support and boosting the morale of our military and our allies military and the family members of the above. Honoring those who have served before. Please remember: The Canteen is a place to honor and entertain our troops. Let's have fun! We pray for your continued strength, to be strong in the face of adversity. We pray for your safety, that you will return to your families and friends soon. We pray that your hope, courage, and dignity remain unbroken, so that you may show others the way. God Bless You All ~ Today, Tomorrow and Always
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