Air travel provides the primary access to Thule Air Base, situated in northwest Greenland. This remote location necessitates careful planning and coordination due to limited commercial flight availability. Typically, access involves a combination of commercial flights to larger airports in Greenland (e.g., Kangerlussuaq), followed by military-operated or chartered flights to Pituffik Airport (THU), which serves the base.
Reaching this northernmost U.S. installation is essential for maintaining its strategic importance. The base supports critical missions, including space surveillance, missile warning operations, and scientific research. Historically, access has played a vital role, from its establishment during World War II to its continued relevance in the modern era. Its unique location offers unparalleled vantage points for monitoring activities in the Arctic region, a zone of increasing geopolitical significance.
