Thule Air Base is a part of the Ft. Dix/McGuire AFB Exchange even though it is located 947 miles from the North Pole on the Northwestern tip of Greenland. In the often mild summers, the residents can travel in an area (from Bay to Ice Cap) only 15 miles long by 40 miles wide.

Built over two arctic summers in 1951 and 1952, this gigantic construction project has been compared to the building of the Panama Canal. It was originally established as the world's most northern base for Allied bomber and fighter units. It is now home to one of Air Force Space Command's three operating Ballistic Missile Early Warning Systems (BMEWS), which monitor the launch of any submarine or intercontinental ballistic missiles. The 12th Space Warning Squadron has been called the U.S. Air Force's most remote remote.

Thule houses 550 people who continue the mission of serving as a first line of defense against surprise or unprovoked attacks on the United States or Canada. The multi-cultural population consists of Americans, Canadians, Danish, and Greenlanders. Military spend a 12 month tour separated from family and friends. Access is only by aircraft from Southern Greenland, Copenhagen, or military planes from Canada or McGuire AFB, New Jersey. Only with "theater clearance" can one get there. There is no "downtown", no CONUS commercial phone lines, no FedEx, no roads or railways to any other part of Greenland. To put it in perspective, Thule Air Base faces the same challenges as being on the moon.

Temperatures range from -40F in winter +50F in summer. Storm season runs from 15 Sep to 15 May, and during this time "snow hurricanes" can blast winds of over 100 miles an hour. Thule has 9 months of full sun or twilight and 3 months of 24 hour darkness. Thule is truly one of the most fascinating and beautiful places on earth. A place with awesome scenery in a harsh arctic environment, where people make a difference.

The Thule Air Base Retail Store with Class Six and Barber Shop is centrally located close to the Laundry Dry Cleaning facility, Post Office, Mess hall, Gym and TOW Club. The Retail Store carries all categories of merchandise that includes specialized giftware from Copenhagen, Denmark and Greenland. It also carries health and beauty aids, stereo systems, music, computers, software and cameras. It has a general selection of clothing and shoes and will assist you with any Special Orders through a Shuttle Service, or Catalog orders.

We look forward to your arrival at Thule Air Base. In addition to the above, we provide check cashing, layaway, Military Star Exchange Credit Card Program and a well trained staff to help provide you with all of the comforts of home, to ensure your tour of duty is a pleasant one. If upon arrival you need any additional information, please contact the Store Manager at DSN 268-3840; ext: 3200. To learn more about Greenland,  click here.

Welcome to Greenland!!