THULE AIR BASE, Greenland -- Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall visited Thule Air Base, Greenland, Feb. 11, 2022, to thank the Airmen and Guardians for their service and gain a first-hand understanding of the critical missions performed there.
Thule was the final stop after completing official engagements with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, U.S. European Command, U.S. Africa Command, U.S. Air Forces Europe and Air Forces Africa.
The SecAF is responsible for organizing, training and equipping the U.S. Air and Space Forces, directing the Department of the Air Force’s annual budget, providing Air and Space Forces to combatant commanders for global operations and is accountable for the welfare of nearly 700,000 active duty, guard, reserve, and civilian Airmen, Guardians and their families.
With Thule AB geographically aligned under USEUCOM and USAFE, it is imperative Airmen and Guardians stationed at Thule are aware of priorities in the European and African theatres.
Kendall’s engagements in Europe were largely focused on three key areas that aligned with the 821st Air Base Group’s mission and vision at Thule: training alongside joint and multinational partners, providing support in austere environments and creating Airmen who are versatile and capable of tasks beyond their initial training.
During the visit, Kendall had the opportunity to tour Space Delta 4 - Missile Warning, 12th Space Warning Squadron and Space Delta 6 - Cyberspace Operations, 23rd Space Operations Squadron, Detachment 1, to meet with Airmen and Guardians and gain a first-hand understanding of the mission and challenges faced by both organizations.
The 12th SWS is responsible for executing missile warning, missile defense and innovative space domain awareness to deter aggression, secure space and if necessary, prevail in conflict. The 23rd SOPS, Det. 1 is tasked with performing telemetry, tracking and commanding operations for U.S. and allied satellite programs in support of national defense objectives.
Additionally, there was ample opportunity to highlight the invaluable efforts of the 821st Air Base Group to address challenges faced in the austere arctic environment with regard to maintaining, sustaining and improving physical infrastructure, communications capabilities, essential power production and generation.