PITUFFIK, Greenland — U.S. Space Force Colonel Susan Meyers was relieved of her command of the 821st Space Base Group at Pituffik Space Base on April 10, 2025, after criticizing Vice President JD Vance’s visit to Greenland, the Pentagon confirmed. The move highlights tensions within the military amid the Trump administration’s push for control over the Arctic territory.
Vance visited Pituffik on March 28, slamming Denmark’s oversight of Greenland and alleging Russian and Chinese incursions. He pushed for U.S. control, echoing Trump’s long-standing interest in annexing the mineral-rich region—a proposal rejected by 85% of Greenlanders, per a January 2025 poll. Meyers, in a March 31 email to base personnel, including U.S., Danish, and Greenlandic staff, distanced the base from Vance’s remarks. “The concerns of the U.S. administration discussed by Vice President Vance are not reflective of Pituffik Space Base,” she wrote, vowing that “all of our flags will fly proudly—together.”
The email, deemed authentic by the Space Force, led to Meyers’ swift removal by Colonel Kenneth Klock for a “loss of confidence in her ability to lead.” Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell stated on social media that “actions to undermine the chain of command or subvert President Trump’s agenda will not be tolerated.” Colonel Shawn Lee has assumed command.
Meyers’ firing, alongside Vice Admiral Shoshana Chatfield’s recent dismissal for unrelated reasons, suggests a purge of perceived disloyalty in the military. It comes amid strained U.S.-Denmark relations, with Danish leaders like Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen calling Vance’s tone “unacceptable.” Greenland’s government also rejected U.S. annexation, with protests displaying “Yankees Go Home” signs.
The incident aligns with Trump’s broader agenda, from 104% tariffs on Chinese imports to the Treasury-ICE fine collection from undocumented immigrants, reflecting a focus on control. As the U.S. pushes its Arctic ambitions, Meyers’ removal may chill military dissent, impacting morale at multinational bases like Pituffik.
