Pentagon wants major improvements to runways at Greenland base [View all]

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Pentagon wants major improvements to runways at Greenland base

Amid demands to control the island, the U.S. military is trying to overhaul infrastructure at its decades-old Pituffik Space Base.
Nicholas Slayton

Published Jan 17, 2026 8:00 AM EST


A North American Aerospace Defense Command F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft from the South Carolina ANG’s 169th FW lands at Pituffik Space Force Base, Greenland, Oct. 7, 2025. Operating in the Arctic provides the flexibility and adaptability needed to overcome logistical hurdles in a dynamic and unforgiving environment. Greenland as part of the Kingdom of Denmark has long played an important role in the defense of North America, which strengthens NORAD's ability to protect the continent from today’s threats and emerging challenges from all approaches. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Maxim Dewolf)
A F-16 lands at Pituffik Space Force Base in Greenland on Oct. 7, 2025. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Maxim Dewolf.

The Department of Defense wants to spend as much as $25 million in major infrastructure improvements to Pituffik Space Base’s runways in Greenland. The overhaul of its airfield is part of other work planned for the installation.

Pituffik, the U.S. military’s single base in Greenland and a major early warning missile tracking site, could see tens of millions of dollars in upgrades to its airfield and other facilities. In a solicitation for bids posted to SAM.gov, the Department of Defense said that it is looking for up to $25 million for new lighting systems to guide landings, a river crossing bridge, and other guidance-related signage and power generators. Though substantial for a small base like Pituffik, the upgrades are fairly routine. USA Today first reported on the solicitations for bids.

The airfield overhaul is the largest of several improvements the Pentagon wants to make. The runway at Pituffik is critically important, both for the base’s mission and for its daily operations. Given its remote location and the harsh weather, supplies often have to be flown in. The base has a deepwater port, but limited sealifts. And, being that far north, troops at Pituffik often experience months of darkness, necessitating clear lighting for its airfield.

“Airlifting any materials or equipment via military aircraft is very expensive and only normally allowed on an emergency-need basis,” the solicitation notes.

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