Pentagon to shift Greenland oversight to Northern Command

The Pentagon is preparing to make a symbolic move that will more closely align the Arctic island with the US by transferring control of Greenland to the US Northern Command (Northcom).

This shift in command, which could take place as early as this week, may also serve to expand US radar capabilities and strengthen its missile defense network.

A Department of Defense official, along with two sources acquainted with the plans, has indicated that Greenland is set to move from the European Command’s (Eucom) area of responsibility to that of the Northern Command (Northcom), the body charged with ensuring North American security.

This development represents the most tangible outcome of the Trump administration’s months-long efforts to secure Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark.

The integration of Greenland into Northcom is anticipated to provoke significant discussion in Denmark and throughout NATO. Concerns have been fueled by the Trump administration’s sustained efforts to assert control over the island, including its unwillingness to rule out military options for acquisition.

Denmark and the semi-autonomous Faroe Islands will remain under Eucom’s authority, creating a symbolic and operational demarcation between these territories and Greenland.

A source close to the developments remarked, “Geographically, the move is logical. Politically, though, it’s clear this decision will raise concerns in Europe.”

This shift in command authority is a component of the Pentagon leadership’s ongoing review of the Unified Command Plan. This plan delineates the areas of responsibility for the department’s six geographic combatant commands.

While Greenland’s reassignment would not necessitate a major leadership overhaul, other proposals—such as merging Northcom with Southern Command or integrating Africa Command into the Germany-based Eucom—would significantly impact the number of three- and four-star officers in the military and the allocation of assets to various global regions.

For months, the Trump administration has emphasized Greenland’s strategic importance to US security. It argues that the island’s North Atlantic location is critical for enhancing missile defense programs and for monitoring Russian and Chinese maritime activities in the Arctic.

Such a change would pave the way for deploying more missile defense radar systems in Greenland and broadening this sensor network, thus integrating the island more tightly with Canadian and US regional defense frameworks.

Northcom is responsible for the protection of US territory. Its duties include overseeing southern border security, air and missile defense, and collaborating with Canada and Mexico on shared security concerns.

Bringing Greenland under Northcom’s umbrella will effectively elevate the island’s profile in policy debates at the Pentagon and the White House, distinctly positioning it relative to Denmark.

A source indicated that the Danish government has not yet been formally notified of the impending transfer.

The US has maintained a military presence on the island for an extended period. In March, individuals named as Vice President JD Vance and then-national security advisor Mike Waltz are said to have visited Pituffik Space Base. This facility, possessing the Pentagon’s northernmost deep-water port, has long functioned as a strategic site for monitoring Russia and China.

While in Greenland, Vance is reported to have encouraged the island’s leaders to “make a deal” with Washington, allegedly stating, “I believe it would be far more advantageous for you to be under the US security umbrella than under Denmark’s.”

In January, the Danish government committed to an additional $2 billion for Greenland’s security initiatives, a move partly aimed at appeasing the Trump administration’s security concerns.

The Trump administration’s remarks on the Arctic’s significance have also captured the attention of NATO leaders. Mark Rutte, the alliance’s secretary general, noted last week, “As NATO, we are increasing our engagement in Arctic security matters.”

Rutte also described the Trump administration’s focus on Russian and Chinese activities in the region as a positive development.

In a recent NBC interview last month, Trump affirmed he had not discounted the possibility of acquiring Greenland by military means, commenting, “I’m not saying I’m going to do it, but I’m not ruling anything out. We need Greenland very much.”