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A top US general has acknowledged that the United States is seeking to expand its military presence in Greenland.

Some shit you should know before you dig in: Shortly after President Trump returned to office, he began calling for Greenland to become part of the United States, citing a mix of strategic, economic, and national security reasons. Trump has argued that as Arctic ice continues to melt, new trade routes are opening through the region that geopolitical rivals like China and Russia could exploit. He has openly warned that without greater US control or influence in Greenland, the area risks becoming militarized by foreign powers (specifically China and Russia), which he said would threaten global stability and American interests. Trump has also highlighted the island’s vast reserves of rare earth materials and the need to install advanced early warning systems in the Arctic to monitor potential missile threats. These proposals have repeatedly angered many in Greenland, where there is strong support for independence from Denmark and little interest in joining the United States.

What’s going on now: While speaking before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Air Force Gen. Gregory Guillot said the US is moving forward with plans to expand its presence in Greenland, stressing that “the need there is very real.” He explained that the plan involves negotiating access to three additional defense areas beyond the current US presence at Pituffik Space Base, with the goal of strengthening homeland defense in the Arctic. Guillot outlined proposed additions including “space systems” to support missile defense, as well as the ability to launch fighters and tankers that would serve as “the first line of defense” against potential cruise missile threats coming from the region. He also said there was a need for ports to support both special operations forces and Navy activities.

Guillot made clear that these expansions would build on, not replace, existing infrastructure, noting that Pituffik “gives us some of the fighter and tanker capability and a lot of space capability,” but lacks a “permanent presence for [special operations forces]” and sufficient maritime assets.

He also said the US is seeking “new and improved” ways to work with Denmark and Greenland under the longstanding 1951 defense agreement, which he described as “very favorable to our operations or potential operations in Greenland.”

Despite this, these discussions are unfolding amid heightened tensions between the US and Denmark following President Trump’s earlier push to acquire Greenland, which raised alarms among US allies. According to reports from Danish public broadcaster DR, Denmark quietly prepared for a worst-case scenario in which the United States might attempt to take the island by force. That contingency planning included deploying troops with live ammunition, flying in blood supplies to treat potential casualties, and preparing explosives to destroy key runways in Nuuk to prevent US aircraft from landing.