Amid Trump's takeover attempt, the US stationed military planes at Pituffik Base in Greenland.

In the midst of escalating tensions following US President Donald Trump's move to purchase the semi-autonomous Danish territory, the US is prepared to send aircraft to a crucial military base in Greenland.The aircraft "will soon arrive" at Pituffik Space Base to support a number of long-planned operations, according to the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD).

"Along with aircraft operating from bases in the continental United States and Canada, they will support various long-planned NORAD activities, building on the enduring defense cooperation between the United States and Canada, as well as the Kingdom of Denmark," the command stated in a post on X.

NORAD emphasized that Greenland's government had been notified beforehand and that the activity had been coordinated with Denmark. "All supporting forces are operating with the necessary diplomatic clearances, and this activity has been coordinated with the Kingdom of Denmark. Planned activities are also communicated to the Greenland government," they continued.

Although the military did not reveal the aircraft's arrival date, President Trump's increased pressure on European allies over Greenland has drawn attention to the timing.

In the midst of tensions with Washington over Donald Trump's threats to acquire Greenland, the US action comes after a multinational military drill headed by Danish forces.

In an effort to protect the Arctic, a few military personnel from Germany, Sweden, France, Norway, the Netherlands, and Finland have traveled to Greenland to participate in the drill. The United States was also invited to participate in the military drill by Denmark.

In the meantime, Trump threatened to impose tariffs on Denmark and other European nations, including the UK, unless they agreed to sell Greenland, intensifying his push to acquire Denmark's territory.

Citing Russia's and China's interest in the region, Trump stated in his post that the action is essential for national security.

Declaring that it was "time for Denmark to give back" after years of US support, he offered to negotiate with the European countries but threatened to raise tariffs by 10% starting on February 1, 2026, and 25% starting on June 1, 2026, if an agreement could not be reached.

The US Department of Defense's northernmost facility is the isolated Pituffik Space Base in northwest Greenland. The base, which was created in accordance with a 1951 defense pact between the US and Denmark, is essential to missile warning, missile defense, and space surveillance operations for both the US and NATO.

Pituffik is situated on the northwest coast of Greenland, approximately 1,200 kilometers (750 miles) north of the Arctic Circle and 1,524 kilometers (947 miles) south of the North Pole. It is roughly 1,500 kilometers (930 miles) north of Nuuk, the capital of Greenland.

The installation, which was formerly known as Thule Air Base, changed its name in 2023 to reflect its expanded role within the US Space Force and to honor Greenlandic cultural heritage.

Although its airfield is open year-round, the base is encircled by ice for almost nine months of the year. From November to February, it is completely dark, and from May to August, it is completely bright.

The northernmost deepwater seaport in the world is located in Pituffik and is run by the 821st Space Base Group. The nearest community is Qaanaaq, which is about 120 kilometers (75 miles) northwest.