A once-secret Cold War military installation has been detected deep beneath Greenland’s ice sheet, renewing a controversial U.S. interest in the island.
The surprising rediscovery of Camp Century by NASA scientists in April 2024 has prompted President Donald Trump to revive his goal of acquiring Greenland, citing strategic and security interests tied to the long-abandoned base, as the Daily Mail reports.
The facility, known as Camp Century, was constructed in 1959 during heightened Cold War tensions as a U.S. military outpost beneath Greenland’s ice. It served as a cover for Project Iceworm, a covert proposal to install intercontinental nuclear missile launch sites hidden in the Arctic. By 1967, the project was discontinued due to the unstable nature of the glacier, and Camp Century was subsequently abandoned. Though the nuclear reactor that once powered it was removed, various hazardous materials remained buried onsite. Details about the base’s true purpose remained classified until 1997.
In April 2024, Chad Greene, chief scientist at NASA, rediscovered the site during a radar imaging flight across northwestern Greenland. The mission used the Uninhabited Aerial Vehicle Synthetic Aperture Radar (UAVSAR) to map the glacier’s subsurface layers. Greene’s findings captured unprecedented top-down and side images showcasing Camp Century’s 3D layout and internal tunnels. According to Greene, “In the new data, individual structures in the secret city are visible in a way that they've never been seen before.”
The rediscovered base spanned 21 tunnels and stretched approximately 9,800 feet. Despite being buried under layers of snow and ice, the radar identified signatures identical to archived diagrams of the original construction.
Following the rediscovery, Trump publicly renewed his interest in placing Greenland under U.S. control. Since reclaiming the White House, Trump has named the acquisition of Greenland as a policy priority.
In a May 4 interview on Meet the Press, Trump commented, “We need Greenland very badly,” linking the island’s geography to national defense objectives. He also said, “Greenland is a very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them, and all of that. But we need that for international security.” When asked whether he might use military force to acquire Greenland, Trump replied, “I don't rule it out,” signaling he viewed the rediscovery of Camp Century as a potential strategic asset.
The United States' interest in Greenland dates back decades. During World War II, American forces took responsibility for defending the island while Denmark was under Nazi occupation. After the war ended, the U.S. offered Denmark $100 million in 1946 to purchase Greenland, but the offer was declined. Nevertheless, a 1951 defense treaty allowed Washington to continue building bases and stationing troops on the island.
During the Cold War, the U.S. maintained as many as 17 bases in Greenland with around 10,000 troops. Today, only about 150 U.S. personnel remain stationed at Pituffik Space Base, which supports missile defense, space surveillance and Arctic operations.
In addition to military value, Greenland has tremendous economic potential. Its territory holds vast deposits of rare earth elements, oil and natural gas -- resources increasingly sought after by global powers.
The Trump administration previously argued that Greenland’s natural resources, combined with its location along vital Arctic routes, make it critical for U.S. and NATO influence in the region. The rediscovered Cold War facility has only added to that narrative. The reopening of Camp Century discussions has, however, reawakened environmental concerns regarding the waste left behind. Though the nuclear reactor was removed in the 1960s, items like chemical waste, diesel fuel and low-level radioactive remnants remain buried in the ice sheet. NASA’s radar could now play a critical role in monitoring these potential hazards.
Analysts suggest that interest in Greenland is part of a broader scramble for Arctic influence. As ice melts and new shipping routes open, countries like the U.S., Russia and China are vying for access and stakes in polar resources.
Greenland’s geographical position and untapped natural resources make it one of the most coveted territories in this emerging landscape. Trump’s push for annexation draws on this long-term strategic calculus and a revived sense of military urgency. The rediscovery of Camp Century may have added fuel to this rationale, providing both historic and symbolic justification in support of American expansion into Arctic policymaking.
