The commander of the United States military’s Pituffik Space Base in Greenland, Colonel Susannah Meyers, has been dismissed from her post after allegedly distancing herself and the base from remarks made by US Vice President JD Vance during his recent visit to the Arctic territory.
Controversy Sparks After Political Comments
Colonel Meyers, who assumed command of the strategically located space base in July 2024, was relieved of her duties just weeks after Vance publicly criticized Denmark’s administration of Greenland, a self-governing Danish territory.
Vice President Vance made the remarks during a March 28 press conference at the base, stating:
“Our message to Denmark is very simple: You have not done a good job by the people of Greenland. You have under-invested in the people of Greenland and you have under-invested in the security architecture of this incredible, beautiful landmass.”
Internal Email Signals Disagreement with Administration
Following Vance’s remarks, Colonel Meyers reportedly sent an internal email on March 31 to base personnel, which included US military members, Canadians, Danes, and Greenlanders stationed at Pituffik.
READ MORE: Ksenia Karelina Released in US-Russia Prisoner Swap Over Charity Donation to Ukraine
In the email, as relayed by Military.com, Meyers 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.”
Space Force Justifies Dismissal
The US Space Force issued a statement on Thursday, confirming the dismissal but offering limited detail:
“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 statement emphasized the importance of military neutrality in political matters, particularly for senior leaders managing high-profile posts.
Political Repercussions and Trump’s Greenland Agenda
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell took to X (formerly Twitter) to reaffirm the Department of Defense’s position, stating:
“Actions to undermine the chain of command or to subvert President Trump’s agenda will not be tolerated at the Department of Defense.”
The move is seen by some analysts as part of President Donald Trump’s broader campaign to assert US dominance over Greenland, a territory he has previously expressed interest in acquiring. Trump has repeatedly stated that Greenland is vital for national and international security, even refusing to rule out military force as a means to secure control.
Leadership Change at Pituffik Base
Colonel Susannah Meyers has now been replaced by Colonel Shawn Lee, according to a follow-up statement from the US Space Force.
The Pituffik Space Base, located within the Arctic Circle, serves as a critical hub for space surveillance and missile detection systems, making it one of the most geopolitically significant US military installations in the Arctic.
International Tensions Likely to Rise
Meyers’ removal and Vance’s criticism of Denmark’s role in Greenland may further strain US-Danish relations, especially amid broader concerns over Arctic sovereignty, natural resources, and NATO cooperation in the region.
While Denmark has remained largely silent following the vice president’s remarks, diplomatic observers warn that such statements—and subsequent internal military upheaval—may disrupt delicate US-European alliances as Arctic tensions continue to rise.
