US base chief in Greenland fired for criticizing Trump's plans to seize the island
Photo: JD Vance and Suzanne Meyers (Getty Images)
The head of a US military base visited by Vice President J.D. Vance has been fired for criticizing Washington's plans for an Arctic island, The Guardian reports.
Colonel Susannah Meyers, who had served as commander of the Pituffik Space Base since July, has been removed from her post
She distanced herself from Vance's criticism of Denmark and its control of the territory during a visit to the base two weeks ago.
"Commanders are expected to adhere to the highest standards of conduct, especially as it relates to remaining nonpartisan in the performance of their duties," the US Space Force said in a statement on Thursday evening.
On March 31, Myers sent an email to all personnel at Pituffik, "seemingly aimed at generating unity among the airmen and guardians, as well as the Canadians, Danes and Greenlanders who work there, following Vance’s appearance."
In her email to Military.com, Myers wrote: "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."
Base in Greenland
Pituffik Space Base (formerly Thule Air Force Base) is a US space base in northern Greenland. Thule AB is the northernmost US base, located 1,118 km north of the Arctic Circle and 1524 km from the North Pole.
The Thule base was one of the main elements of the US defense, covering American territory from a Soviet attack through the Arctic.
US President Donald Trump has long stated his desire to seize Greenland. According to The New York Times, Washington will try to take control of Greenland through a campaign of persuasion, not annexation.
