For more information on working in Thule, reference the Thule Guide. Additional information including current air transportation schedules can be received from your PM or the Greenland Operations Manager.
Thule Air Base (TAB) is the United States Air Force's (USAF) northernmost base and also has the northernmost deep-water port, making it a strategic place for military presence. Thule is home to the 21st Space Wing's global network of sensors providing missile warning, space surveillance and space control to North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). Thule Air Base is also home to the 821st Air Base Group and is responsible for air base support within the Thule Defense Area for the multinational population of "Team Thule". The base hosts the 12th Space Warning Squadron (12 SWS) which operates a Ballistic Missile Early Warning System (BMEWS).
Thule Air Base has served as the regional hub for nearby installations, including Cape Atholl (LORAN station), Camp Century (Ice Cap Camp), Camp TUTO (Ice Cap Approach Ramp and Airstrip), Sites 1 and 2 (Ice Cap Radar Stations), P-Mountain (radar and communications site), J-Site (BMEWS), North and South Mountains (research sites), and a research rocket firing site. It also was essential in the construction and resupply of High Arctic weather stations, including CFS Alert and Station Nord. Its placement also happens to be in an excellent location for research proposed in northern Greenland. The NSF utilizes a support agreement with the USAF and Battelle-ARO contracts with the base contractor Vectrus to be able to use Thule as a hub for funded research in northern Greenland.
The NSF lease space from the USAF in Thule that includes berthing and office space (Bldg. 345), cold warehouse and yard space (Bldg. 2403), a lab facility (Hangar 4), heated warehouse space (portion of Bldg. 628), and the Thule High Arctic Atmospheric Observatory (THAOO in Bldg. 1971).
The Battelle-ARO team staffs Thule on a as-needed basis, determined by the level of science, operational, and construction projects planned each season. However, we leverage the expertise of off-site staff to successfully coordinate science support, logistics, and safety protocols by remote communications with our science project managers. Through this model Battelle ARO provides year-round support that includes access to lodging, lab space, truck allocations, air support charters, field equipment allocation, frozen sample storage, and more. Groups overnighting away from Thule check in with the Kangerlussuaq office for any remote field expedition. All site orientations and safety trainings are conducted through remote communications or by military and/or TAB contract staff on site.
Personnel may travel to Thule by three different means; Air Mobility Command (AMC), Air National Guard Flight, or Embassy-sponsored commercial flights. AMC flights go to Thule year around from Baltimore-Washington International Airport and/or McGuire AFB; going north to Thule on Thursdays, and south from Thule on Fridays. Typically 2-6 Air National Guard flights are scheduled to Thule annually based upon science and operational requirements originating in either Kangerlussuaq and/or New York state. There are also a handful of Embassy missions a month completed by Air Greenland originating in either Kangerlussuaq and/or Copenhagen. Regardless of travel mode, because Thule is an active US. Air Force bae, permission to work in Thule requires travel clearances through the USAF and the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Battelle ARO staff will facilitate this process for all personnel funded to work out of Thule.
Photo by: Pat Smith
Photo by: Jessy Jenkins
Photo by: Ben Kopec
