In an unprecedented move, the US military has removed Colonel Susannah Meyers from her command position at the Pituffik Space Base in Greenland following her public disavowal of Vice-President JD Vance's statements regarding Denmark's involvement in Greenland's affairs.
US Dismisses Greenland Base Commander Amid Political Controversy
US Dismisses Greenland Base Commander Amid Political Controversy
Colonel Susannah Meyers relieved of duty after distancing remarks about Vice-President JD Vance's criticism of Denmark.
The US military base in Greenland is now without its commander after Colonel Susannah Meyers was fired due to what officials describe as a "loss of confidence in her ability to lead." Meyers' dismissal came after she distanced herself from Vice-President JD Vance's remarks that criticized Denmark's financial and security commitments to Greenlanders. The Space Operations Command noted her failure to align with official statements from the US government as a primary reason for her removal.
In a leaked email reported by Military.com, Meyers emphasized that “the concerns discussed by Vice-President Vance are not reflective" of the sentiments at Pituffik Space Base. This triggered a response from Pentagon officials, who stressed that actions undermining the chain of command would not be tolerated.
Col. Meyers, who led the Arctic base since July 2022, was succeeded by Col. Shawn Lee, a previous squadron commander at Clear Space Force Station in Alaska. The Pentagon reiterated the standard of conduct expected of its military leaders, emphasizing nonpartisanship in their roles.
Vice-President Vance's trip to Greenland included controversial proposals, including the annexation of the territory for security purposes, which both Denmark and Greenland have vehemently opposed. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenland's leadership publicly united in denying any intent for US annexation, reaffirming Denmark’s long-standing control over the island, which has lasted nearly 300 years.
According to experts, Greenland holds significant strategic importance for US security, particularly in the context of potential threats from Russia. Despite calls for more autonomy, many Greenlanders express a desire for independence from Denmark rather than affiliation with the US, complicating the geopolitical dynamics in the Arctic region. With the right to an independence referendum since 2009, pressures for such a vote have been growing among certain political factions in Greenland.
