As the Earth tilts away from the sun, Thule becomes a land of permanent night, and permanent cold, dipping to as low as 47 below zero, according to base statistics.
The base’s two main missions tracking satellites and orbiting debris, and watching for ballistic missile launches from the “Russian landmass” are the reason the base was built, and why the seemingly anachronistic base remains.
In recent years, Russia has aggressively expanded its presence in the Arctic, while the United States has largely neglected this strategic area. Given the rising demand for oil and gas and the likelihood that Arctic sea-lanes will become more navigable, the U.S. should move resolutely to establish U.S. sovereign rights in the Arctic. Establishing a robust U.S. presence will require, among other steps, significantly increasing the number of U.S. polar-capable icebreakers. The U.S. should continue coordinating efforts with Canada and its other NATO allies, working with Russia when feasible and prudent. However, the U.S. should oppose Russia’s territorial claims in the Arctic without becoming party to the Law of the Sea Treaty.
The Thule Air Base was commissioned during the Cold War in the early Fifties and plays a key role in the US military s ability to detect and provide early. 20.12.2022, Sputnik International