The Pentagon announced the firing of Col. Susannah Meyers, the commanding officer of Pituffik Space Base in Greenland, after she allegedly undermined Vice President JD Vance's critical remarks about Denmark. This decision signals a clear stance on maintaining military leadership alignment with political directives.
US Military Base Chief in Greenland Dismissed for Criticizing Vice President's Comments
US Military Base Chief in Greenland Dismissed for Criticizing Vice President's Comments
Col. Susannah Meyers, head of the Pituffik Space Base, was fired after distancing herself from JD Vance's statements regarding Denmark's role in Greenland.
Col. Susannah Meyers, who was in charge of the US military base in Greenland, has been dismissed following her decision to issue an email distancing herself from Vice President JD Vance’s recent criticism of Denmark's contributions to the security of Greenland. The removal, attributed to a "loss of confidence in her ability to lead," was confirmed by the US Space Operations Command and emphasized the Pentagon's view that undermining national leadership is unacceptable.
Last month, during a visit to the Danish territory, Vance stated that Denmark had "not done a good job" in terms of spending on security for the Greenlandic people. Subsequently, in an internal communication brought to public attention by Military.com, Col. Meyers asserted that Vance’s comments "were not reflective" of the views shared at the base.
The Pentagon’s communication director, Sean Parnell, reinforced the implication that Col. Meyers’ actions were contrary to the chain of command and stated that such behavior would not be tolerated within the Department of Defense. Following her dismissal, Col. Shawn Lee will assume command of the base, highlighting the importance of nonpartisanship within military leadership.
During his trip to Greenland, Vance also reiterated former President Donald Trump's interest in the potential annexation of the territory, a move that has met firm opposition from both Denmark and Greenland's leadership. Recent statements from Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen emphasized Denmark's intention to bolster its military presence in the Arctic while expressing a commitment to closer cooperation with the US.
Greenland, controlled by Denmark for approximately three centuries, has a complex relationship with independence and US interest. Despite the security significance of this territory, the majority of Greenlanders are not inclined to become part of the US but are increasingly vocal about their desire for independence from Denmark.
Military analysts highlight the strategic importance of the base, especially against the backdrop of potential threats from countries like Russia, stressing that Greenland remains a vital asset for US defense interests.
