WELCOME TO THULE
"THE TOP OF THE WORLD"
We're glad to welcome you to your new assignment at Thule Air Base, Greenland!
You'll soon find out why so many people say this is the best isolated/remote tour that an Air Force person can serve. While that may take some time for you to believe, it is a fact. Quality of life and the pride and professionalism of the base will soon show you why your new assignment will be a truly outstanding one. By thoroughly reading the following guide you will find the information extremely valuable in assisting you in your transition process to Thule Air Base.
OVERVIEW
As you travel through Baltimore/Washington International Airport on your PCS, carry this information package with you.
When you arrive at Thule, you will be greeted by the Base Commander, First Sergeant, Chaplain, and of course, your sponsor and supervisor.
Upon arrival, you will be scheduled for the Commander’s Artic Start newcomer orientation, which is normally held every other Friday. At that time you’ll receive more information from various base agencies.
Thule Air Base is the United States Air Force's northernmost base - (76 32' North latitude, 68 50' West longitude) located 695 miles north of the Arctic Circle, and 947 miles south of the North Pole on the northwest side of the island of Greenland. It is approximately 550 miles east of the North Magnetic Pole.
The arctic, referred to as a―cold desert,‖ gets very little precipitation annually. The name ―Arctic," derived from the Greek word ―arktos," meaning ―bear," refers to the constellation Ursa Major, or Great Bear, which appears prominently in the northern sky.
Greenland is ―Kalaallit Nanaat" in the Inuit language. It is a country in the Kingdom of Denmark and is the largest island in the world. "Thule" is from the Latin word with the same spelling meaning ―northernmost part of the habitable world.‖ Greenland covers nearly 840,000 square miles; more than 80 percent is covered either by the ice cap or smaller glaciers. According to scientific measurements, the greatest thickness of the ice cap is about 6,500 feet. To a depth of about 60 feet, the cap is comprised of compressed snow; the top layers are dry and crusty, creating fine, powdered snow. This dictates that buildings be constructed off the ground or have air corridors separating the buildings from the ground. Otherwise the heat from inside the buildings melts the cap, and the buildings sink—a lesson learned the hard way during the life of Thule AB.
Thule is a land of contrasts. The perimeter of Greenland consists mainly of mountains. Glaciers flow down these mountains through deep valleys to the sea. The highest peaks, the Gunnbjom Mountains, on the eastern coast of the island rise over 12,000 feet. The Thule Defense Area, created by an agreement signed 27 April 1951, covers approximately 254 square miles. Thule is located in a coastal valley approximately four miles from the entrance of North Star Bay on Greenland’s west coast. The bay is part of
Baffin Bay which extends to the southern part of Ellesmere Island 140 miles west of Thule. The base is built on a broad and rather flat glacial valley floor between two bedrock ridges, North and South Mountains. The valley slopes gently to the eastsoutheast until it meets an ice cap, the Great Land Glacier, about 10 miles inland.
Thule is locked in by ice nine months out of the year. Each summer an American or
Canadian ship breaks up the ice in North Star Bay and clears the way for the American, Canadian, and Danish cargo ships to bring in the annual resupply during the ―port season.‖ The bay will be frozen again by mid-October.
There is no ―local town." The closest Inuit (native Eskimo) village, Qaanaaq, is 65 miles away. There is no ―off-base" except for the bay, the ice cap, and what appears to be thousands of miles of rocks.
The Thule area is barren most of the year; although from June to September, the snow melts and arctic tundra plant life such as poppies, cotton, mosses, and a variety of colorful flowers bloom. The extremely cold climate means a limited variety of wild animals. Around the base you are likely to see arctic fox and hares and several varieties of birds in the summer time. Polar bears, caribou, seals, musk ox, and perigrine falcons also inhabit the area. In southern Greenland, vegetation and wildlife are more varied and abundant. The base library has a collection of interesting books that will tell you more about this region, the arctic, and its people.
WHY DOES THULE EXIST TODAY?
Simply put, Thule exists today in order to support the operation of the solid-state phased-array radar located at the Ballistic Missile Early Warning System (BMEWS), Site I. The BMEWS site is located approximately 11 miles northwest of the main base. It provides early warning detection of intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launches from the Russian land mass and submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) launches from the North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans against North America. Additionally, BMEWS keeps track of polar orbiting satellites.
Although the base population expands in the summer (with exercises, expeditions, contractors, and visitors), normal population is approximately 600 consisting of 400 Danish, 50 Greenlandic, 3 Canadians, and 140 American military and civilians.
Because of its mission and inclusion as part of the NATO agreement, Thule Air Base is expected to remain a vital part of America's defense plan for decades to come.
WHAT’S AT THULE: CURRENT ORGANIZATIONS
821 Air Base Group (821st ABG)
The mission of the 821st Air Base Group is to operate and maintain Thule Air Base in support of missile warning and space surveillance operations missions. It provides security, communications, civil engineering, personnel, services, logistics, and medical support to remote active duty units in a combined US, Canadian, Danish, and Greenlandic environment of 600 military, civilian, and contractor personnel. The 821st ABG operates DoD's northernmost seaport and provides a unique platform for arctic training, international scientific research, and environmental programs. The group plans and executes infrastructure and quality of life programs.
821 Support Squadron (821st SPTS)
The mission of the 821st Support Squadron is to provide support for remote active duty units in a combined US, Canadian, Danish, and Greenlandic environment of 600 military, civilian, and contractor personnel and enhance missile early warning, space surveillance, space control, and operational readiness by providing engineering, medical, communication, logistics, services and airfield operations support to the 821st Air Base Group and tenant organizations.
Most personnel within the ABG serve as Quality Assurance Evaluators (QAE) for the contracts held by Greenland Contractors (GC) and BAE. The flights include communications, personnel, medical services, logistics, civil engineering, and services.
821 Security Forces Squadron (821st SFS)
The mission of the 821st Security Forces Squadron is to provide protection for remote active duty units in a combined US, Canadian, Danish, and Greenlandic environment of 600 military, civilian, and contractor personnel; provide security for two operational units that execute missile warning, space surveillance, telemetry, tracking, and commanding for US and allied satellites; and manage the installation Antiterrorism program in coordination with local Greenlandic and Danish police forces.
12th SPACE WARNING SQUADRON (12th SWS)
The mission of the 12th Space Warning Squadron is to provide critical, real-time missile warning, defense and space surveillance to the President, SECDEF, JCS, NORAD, and unified commands by operating a phased-array radar—which continuously provides warning of sea-launched and intercontinental ballistic missile attacks against North America—and detect, track, and identify earth-orbiting objects in support of USSTRATCOM’s space control mission.
Thule Air Base reports to the 21st Space Wing, Peterson AFB, Colo. The mission of Thule AB is to provide early warning and defense of ballistic missile launches against the United States and Southern Canada to the North American Aerospace Defense Command and JCS Command Centers. The 12th SWS also detects and tracks polar orbiting satellites in support of operational space surveillance and space control missions. Personnel from the 12 SWS operate the solid-state, phased-array radar located at Ballistic Missile Early Warning Systems (BMEWS), Site I. The operational crews report through the Missile Warning Center to the NORAD/USNORTHCOM
Center. The Operation Support Flight provides direct operational support to the missile warning crews. The flight's Operations Training Section provides all crew force initial, recurring, and supplemental training. Other flight responsibilities include hardware and software development, operational test and evaluation, and crew force management.
COMPTROLLER
The comptroller function at Thule offers a full range of services. TDY/PCS travel vouchers are computed and paid; allotments can be started, stopped, or changed; BAQ recertifications can be accomplished; and advance military and travel pay can be received. THERE IS NO BANKING FACILITY or ATM MACHINE at Thule, so you must take care of your banking needs before arriving. Personal checks are not cashed at finance; however, checks can be cashed at the Base Exchange and Consolidated Club. Additionally, each military member is encouraged to have a military Government Travel Charge Card for travel.
AIR FORCE POST OFFICE (APO)
Here at Thule, one of the best means of communications due to our remote location from the rest of the world is through the Post Office. Even though we have reliable telecommunications throughout the base, these services are limited and sometimes undependable due to connections. The personnel at the APO provide immediate service in seeing your letters and packages are delivered in a timely matter. But even the APO has limitations that could slow the process. Some of them are the irregularity of incoming flights from the States and hold-ups at U.S. Customs offices. Mail has an average time frame of two to three weeks before reaching its final destination from here. For mail coming to Thule, a trend of seven to ten days is expected.
The APO provides a number of services to suit your needs while here at Thule. These services include the purchase of postal money orders, postage stamps, and parcel mailing. Since flights out of Thule are limited, we are unable to provide any express mail service. The hours of operation are varied throughout the week to accommodate incoming flights. For the most part, your needs are met and improvements are always looked at with high interest.
CHAPEL
The Thule Chapel provides a wide range of Catholic and Protestant programs for the base community through resident Air Force chaplains. Representatives from other faith groups are provided on an ―as needed‖ basis. Worship services and a variety of Bible studies and adult education forums are offered weekly. Laity-led advisory councils help design, develop, and carry out the many activities provided. Ecumenical and interfaith services emphasize our unity at Thule.
Other special activities include volunteer opportunities; confidential counseling; baptism; pre-marital, marital, and family counseling; marriage and family enrichment programs; and a referral resource for alcoholics anonymous. The Chapel also co-sponsors two significant base-wide functions: Armed Forces Day and Operation JULEMAND.
Armed Forces Day is held in the April/May time frame on the frozen surface of North Star Bay. Danes and Americans participate with Greenlandics who travel up to 200 miles by dog sled to celebrate the day long activities that include mukluk hockey, dog sled races, and ice skating. Services supervises the sports activities and provides a special meal at the fitness center. Operation JULEMAND (which means ―Christmas Man'' in Danish) is in support of local Inuit children and other American and Danish charities. Functions are held during the holiday season. Each year we light a 40-foot Jule tree in front of the base headquarters building.
MEDICAL
The hospital consists of a contract and military staff that together provides exceptional quality care. The scope of care includes primary care, 24-hour emergency services, general surgery, immunizations, laboratory, radiology, pharmacy, physical exams and limited dental care. Any active duty Air Force personnel requiring specialty care outside the hospital scope will be sent on a medical TDY to Malcolm Grow Medical Center at Andrews AFB, MD. If you have special medication requirements, bring a six-month supply with you to Thule and request refills at the hospital one month in advance, due to the extensive supply chain lead times.
ASSOCIATE UNITS
DETACHMENT 3, 22nd SPACE OPERATIONS SQUADRON, 50TH SPACE WING
Detachment 3 (Det 3) is a Remote Tracking Station (RTS) located approximately 3.5 miles NE of Thule main base. Detachment 3 reports to the 22nd Space Operations Squadron, 50th Operations Group, 50th Space Wing, Schriever AFB, Colo. The 50th Space Wing is one of four wings reporting to the 14th Air Force located at Vandenberg AFB, Calif.
The people of Det 3 directly support space operations by providing telemetry, tracking, and command of satellites developed and deployed by the Department of Defense, other US Government agencies, and allied governments. It also provides data distribution and routing systems to support external users' programs and other ground elements.
Thule Tracking Station (TTS) was originally designated by Air Force Systems
Command as ―Operating Location 5" (OL-5), 6594th Test Wing (Satellite) on 15
October 1961. Originally a classified location, TTS was declared operational on 30 March 1962. In its first configuration, TTS was nothing more than transportable antenna vans parked in an old bomb assembly building with a van-mounted generator providing station power. In 1964 the vans gave way to a permanently mounted antenna, and since that time, the bomb assembly building has become the home of TTS. TTS has belonged to two different major commands and has had five organizational designators. Its current designator, Detachment 3, 22nd Space Operations Squadron, 50th Space Wing, Air Force Space Command, became effective 30 January 1992. Since its inception, TTS has had 40 commanders, ranging in rank from first lieutenant to lieutenant colonel. Because TTS was originally envisioned as supporting the Polar Orbiting Geophysical Observatory, TTS adopted ―POGO‖ as its AFSCN call sign. Although the Polar Orbiting Geophysical Observatory has long since been retired, the call sign POGO remains.
The facility operates three telemetry tracking and commanding antennas and one dedicated mission antenna. These antennas transmit commands to satellites and receive telemetry information back from them. Telemetry information is comprised of satellite state-of-health data and mission data. Initially, the antennas are pointed in the direction where the satellite will come into view. Once the antenna locks onto the satellite, it tracks the satellite as it moves through space, sending commands and receiving telemetry while gathering tracking data. The extreme northern location of Thule provides a nearly ideal position for communicating with polar-orbiting satellites.
CONTRACTOR ORGANIZATIONS:
GREENLAND CONTRACTORS (GC)
Greenland Contractors, which was formed as a joint venture in 1952, employs approximately 400 Danish, Greenlandic, and American personnel. It is the largest single organization represented at Thule Air Base. They perform a variety of tasks for the Air Force at Thule, including the operation and maintenance of all utility plants, pavements and grounds, engineering and planning, dining halls, recreational services, custodial services, operation and maintenance of vehicles, non-sensitive communications, fire protection, lodging and housing, supply, and medical services. Greenland Contractors has been represented at Thule Air Base since the company was formed in 1952 and as Operations and Maintenance contractor since 1 July 1971.
GE AMERICOM
General Electric has a contract with DECCO (Defense Communications) for most of the communications in and out of Thule. The four employees, subcontracted from Lockheed-Martin, manage, maintain, and operate two satellite terminals. The mission has been on base for many years (pre 70s). The first terminal was built on P-mountain in 1977 and was later moved to ―J-Site‖, BMEWS, in 1983.
BAE
Employing approximately 46 American contractors, BAE Systems manages, operates, maintains, and logistically supports the BMEWS Site I radar, PMEL, and sensitive communications.
HARRIS
The Harris Corporation has 24 employees at Thule, who manage, operate, and maintain mission equipment at Det 3.
GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITIES:
GREENLAND HOME RULE/AIRPORT AUTHORITY
The Greenland Home Rule/Airport Authority (GHR) representative is responsible for all
Greenlandic passengers traveling to and from the Thule district and maintaining Greenlandic transient billeting. Travelers from Qaanaaq (the closest Inuit town, approximately 65 miles away) and other towns sometimes stay overnight at Thule while in transit to Southern Greenland or Denmark. GHR also manages the Danish Post Office, Danish Bank, and Greenland Souvenir Shop (the Danish Mall where you can buy reindeer soap stone carvings, postcards, Danish stamps, currency, and more).
During port season, they handle Greenland and Danish shipping activities for the base. One Greenland Air helicopter is the only aircraft permanently assigned to the base.
DANISH LIAISON OFFICER (DLO)
Because Greenland falls under the Danish flag, there is a Danish Liaison Officer (DLO) and a Danish Police Inspector (DPI) on base. They work directly with the base commanders to ensure coordinated operations with the host country.
The DLO, a commander in the Royal Danish military, is Denmark's military representative here. He is the link between 821st ABG/CC and Island Commander, who is stationed at Naval Station Gronnedal in the southern part of Greenland. He assists the Base Commander in all matters pertaining to Greenland and Greenlandic and Danish authorities. He ensures, to some extent, that the USAF does not violate the 1951 treaty signed by Denmark and the United States. He is the liaison between the base population and base authorities and the Inuit population in the district (which consists of 6 villages and a population of about 900). He assists the Danish base population in all matters related to a normal society, i.e. tax, customs, social welfare, health care, and justice-of-the-peace functions (marriages. etc.). He acts as the Danish Police Inspector (DPI) when the DPI is not on base. He checks entry permits and makes security checks on arriving/departing passengers on flights between Thule and Copenhagen. He assists the Base Chaplains during Danish/American religious services.
The DLO also provides the radio link for Station Nord. He supplies them with various provisions as well as coordinates for their annual refueling missions. Station Nord is a small meteorological station situated on a runway on the northeast coast of Greenland. It is kept open year round by five men from the Danish Armed Forces. The station is used as an emergency runway for both civilian and military aircraft and as a gateway to northern Greenland.
DANISH POLICE INSPECTOR (DPI)
The Danish Police Inspector is the law for the approximately 1,800 people (Avanerssup Kommunia and all of Thule Air Base) and 220,000 square miles of northern Greenland.
He serves as a magistrate for the Ministry of Justice for the Kingdom of Denmark. (The
Chief Constable is located in Nuuk, the capital of Greenland.) He is part of the police in Greenland, but without the powers of a Justice of the Peace. He handles investigations and processes indictments for crimes. He is responsible for Search and Rescue in all settlements in the northern quarter of Greenland. He serves separation and divorce decrees, processes passports, and drivers’ licenses for Danish nationals, serves as prosecutor in Greenland's criminal courts, and acts as a park ranger in the Wildlife preserves.
BASE SERVICES:
BASE EXCHANGE/BARBER SHOP
Though small in comparison to a stateside exchange, you will find the AAFES Thule exchange offers a wide selection of items. They have a variety of American and Danish food items as well as beverages, vitamins, personal care items, cleaning and Iaundry supplies, paper products, small electronics, DVDs, videogames, computers, and peripherals and clothing items. Other options available if you do not find them at the store are customer convenience orders, catalog orders and special orders. Check cashing is available for authorized military ID cardholders and limited to current AAFES policies. Debit card cash advances are offered as well for a limited amount. All major credit cards are accepted as well as the Military Star card.
The AAFES Barbershop, located in the exchange, is able to handle most of your hair care needs from haircuts to styling to perms. Walk-ins and appointments are available.
COMMISSARY
There is no commissary at Thule. The Food Warehouse’s, Bldg. 200, main function is to serve as support for the dining hall, Top of the World Club, and the BX. Individuals may order food on Monday and Tuesday and pick up their rations on Friday. Payment must be made by cash or check. Please remember that items are sold in bulk. This is a warehouse not a regular commissary store.
FOOD SERVICES
Thule operates three dining facilities, food warehouse, and a bakery. The Dining halls are located on main base—Dundas Buffet Restaurant—BMEWS—Hilltop Dining Hall— and Det. 3. Meals are served three times daily, seven days a week. Midnight meals are provided for shift workers at BMEWS and Det 3. Special meals are prepared on major holidays. The food service staff provides a wide variety of entrees, side dishes, short order sandwiches, and desserts to please the diverse population. All enlisted members will be on BAS to pay for their meals.
LAUNDRY/DRY CLEANING/TAILORING
Thule Services also offers inexpensive and complete laundry (without starch), dry cleaning, and tailoring services with a centralized drop-off/pick-up point. Most items are ready within 2-5 days. You will be amazed at the quality and the price. Additionally, there are washer and dryer units located on each floor of the living quarters. There is an ironing board on each floor of the living quarters if you choose to iron your clothing. (Dry cleaning is so cheap you should never have to iron your own clothes again!)
LODGING
The North Star Inn (Bldg 100) provides quality service and outstanding living quarters to transient personnel. Sundry items, beverages and snacks are available. There are private phones in each room. The Inn is located two blocks from Dundas Buffet Restaurant. Each floor has microwave ovens, washers and dryers. VOQ, VAQ, and DV rooms have a check out time of 1200 (noon). DV quarters are located in buildings 105 and 103. Cash, checks, and Visa/Master Card are authorized for payment.
WHAT'S THE WEATHER AND ENVIRONMENT REALLY LIKE AT THULE ?
WHAT WEATHER WILL YOU FIND AND WHAT WILL YOU SEE ONCE YOU ARRIVE AT THULE?
One of the first things new arrivals notice at Thule is the clean, crisp air. Yes, it is cold up here, but because of the dry climate, when you hear the winter temperature, it will not seem as cold as it actually is. Remember that Thule is in the Arctic, so sudden, drastic weather changes will occur.
Here at Thule you are dressed properly for the cold and go from a warm building to a warm vehicle (the majority of newcomers use the base taxi) to a warm building. When the weather is too harsh (i.e. blizzard, unpassable roads, etc.) you are required to stay in your quarters. (Mother Nature has her own schedule of ―three day weekends" for us.) There are periods during the summer months that you will actually see people walking outside in shorts and short sleeve shirts! There are other days when only a windbreaker may be needed. Temperatures at Thule range from minus 30 to plus 50 degrees Fahrenheit. It has reached a high of 68 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer and has dropped to minus 47 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter. Winds of 30 to 100 knots are common during arctic winters. Relative humidity is extreme: outdoor is 60% and indoors 2% in winter. Thule receives an average of 28.2 inches of snow and 4.4 inches of rain annually. The coldest weather hits at the same time the sun comes up over South Mountain (late February to early March).
For three months, beginning in late November, the sun is below the horizon, gradually Ieading from twilight to 24 hours of darkness. When the sun returns in late February you gain 20-40 minutes of daylight per day until late April when it remains above the horizon for 24 hours a day for nearly four months. The summer sun is very bright and dark sunglasses are recommended. In mid August you will witness the first sunset since April, and from that point on you receive 20 to 40 more minutes of darkness per day until November when again you have 24 hours of darkness with the darkest and shortest day of the year being December 21st. In the late spring, most of the snow from the shore of North Star Bay to the edge of the ice cap usually disappears as moisture is absorbed directly into the air. Tundra, base rock, and a thin layer of powdery dust remain. This marks the beginning of Thule’s mud season.
During the "summer months" (May 15 - Sep 14) off-base travel is authorized (though always with a "buddy"). You will quickly learn that distances are deceiving. Mountain peaks and islands that are 15 to 30 miles distant look as though they are just a short walk away. Information is available about many off-base sites to visit and photograph.
During the winter season (Sep 15 - May 14) the high winds blow off the ice cap and cause a local weather phenomenon known as "storm conditions." These storms are a deadly combination of wind, snow, and sub-zero temperatures. A storm begins when a low pressure area west of Thule over Baffin Bay causes surface winds to blow off the ice cap from the southeast. The wind is channeled into the valley where Thule is located. The valley amplifies the wind, and it increases in velocity. The loose snow is picked up by the high winds and can severely restrict visibility. You will notice a change in storm conditions from "storm Normal" to "storm Delta" caused by the high winds. During a storm in March 1972 the anemometer on a storm shelter (Phase Shack #7) recorded the 2nd highest wind velocity ever on earth: 207 mph.
Arctic winter storms are divided into these classifications: Storm Normal, Storm Alpha, Storm Bravo, Storm Charlie, and Storm Delta.
Storm Delta represents the most serious threat to life and property. Two factors
(visibility and temperature) are assessed to determine the applicable storm conditions. When any two of these three factors are present, the appropriate storm condition is declared.
• Storm Condition Normal - Business as usual.
• Storm Condition Alpha - Initial warning of a potential Arctic winter storm. No danger exists at this point; however, all personnel should prepare for Storm Conditions.
• Storm Condition Bravo - All pedestrian traffic will use the buddy system (two or more people traveling together). All personnel must stay on approved roads. If you are traveling alone in a vehicle, it must have a comm radio or use the buddy system.
• Storm Condition Charlie - All non-essential base facilities close. Return to quarters. Pedestrian traffic is prohibited. Call the base taxi or use the base shuttle bus service if dedicated vehicles are not available.
• Storm Condition Delta - All personnel are restricted to the buildings in which they are located at the time a Storm Delta is declared. Absolutely no pedestrian or vehicular travel is permitted. Only emergency vehicles will operate during this condition and only at the direction of the Base Commander.
All year long, Thule weather is like weather in many northern states, unpredictable. It can rain, sleet, snow, and be very sunny and warm all in one 24-hour period. Always be prepared, and expect the unexpected.
For your protection, storm shelters (phase shacks) are located at short intervals along the roads Ieading to off-base worksite locations. Each shelter is heated and stocked with emergency food, water, bedding, and a telephone. They are for use by anyone caught in a sudden storm condition. Remember, these shelters are for emergency use only!!!
PHASES OF THE SUN AND MOON
Because it’s always cold, there are only two seasons here at Thule! These are the light and dark season. From February through November, the sky transitions from normal day/night cycles, to a full 24 hours of sunlight, and back through day/night cycles until we have 24 hours a day of darkness. This total darkness lasts from late November until late January. The dark season is also the coldest time of year, and coincides with storm season, which runs 15 September through 15 May.
ARCTIC SURVIVAL GEAR
The full compliment of clothing will prevent hypothermia for a short period of time, even in a storm condition. It is intended to extend your outdoor survivability only long enough for you to seek proper shelter promptly. During storm season, personnel assigned vehicles must keep their ensembles in their vehicles at all times. Personnel proceeding off base during this period must also carry the Arctic Gear at all times. During dark season, wear of the parka with its’ integrated reflective material is advisable to remain visible to vehicle drivers. It is important to practice ―donning‖ and ―doffing‖ your arctic gear just as you would chemical warfare gear. The wrong place to learn how to wear your gear is when you really need to wear it.
FROSTBITE
Even in summer months, frostbite can be a danger here. Wind chill greatly increases the potential for frostbite. In the winter, exposed skin can be frostbitten in less that 1 minute. If the symptoms are ignored and untreated, it can result in permanent nerve and muscle damage, up to and including the need for amputation. Once again, practice donning and doffing your arctic gear—be prepared!
ARCTIC ENTRANCES
Be careful when entering or exiting buildings. Snow and ice accumulate, including residual snow and ice left from people cleaning their feet, on the gratings. This applies to the stairs as well as the ground around the entrances. Where there are tile floors, be especially careful as this water tends to make them very slick. To help combat this, be sure to keep arctic entrance doors closed at all times.
WORMHOLES
No there are not giant arctic worms here at Thule. What happens is the sun melts the top layer of snow and ice during the day, and then freezes during the night. You can’t tell from looking whether there’s snow, water, ground, or just open space underneath it, or how high it is. Sticking to the roadways is your best option.
SAFE VEHICLE OPERATIONS:
BLINDING SPRING
As the sun begins its transition from the dark season, it is low on the horizon. Glare from snow, reflection off other vehicles, and direct light can be blinding. If this happens, STOP IMMEDIATELY!!!! Keep a pair of dark sunglasses with you at all times during this period and all through the light season. Put them on and wait for your vision to return to normal. Also, the reflection from headlights off ice and snow in the dark season can be a similar hazard.
SEAT BELTS
Simply stated, WEAR THEM. No more than three people will ride in the front seat of any vehicle, and only on bench seats. No passenger may ride in a vehicle unless they occupy a fixed seat and are properly wearing a permanently installed, functional safety restraint device. This obviously precludes individuals from riding in the beds of pickup trucks. Properly wearing seatbelts is a proven deterrent from injury and even death.
SPEED LIMITS
The speed limit on base is 25 MPH (40 KPH) maximum, but lower in some places (such as the dining facility, base gym, and the flightline). Citations for violations are written by the Security Forces, and can cause you to lose your driving privileges for a week, month, or the rest of your tour. Remember that these speed limits are not a minimum speed to drive – they are the maximum. When road conditions are less than optimum, or during the dark months (when it is REALLY cold), remember to reduce your speed accordingly. The roads here are hard packed earth and gravel. When they get wet, you slide. Often, what appears to be a packed gravel and sand roadway is actually that type of material spread over the surface of packed snow or ice for traction.
Stopping distances triple in these conditions, so increase your following distances accordingly. Never lock your brakes. They should be applied until just before the point where they lock up, and then held. Although this requires a little getting used to, it is a much-preferred method to pumping the brakes, and will stop the vehicle sooner. Be familiar with the type of vehicle you’re operating and if it has anti-lock brakes.
ONE-WAY STREETS
The three one way streets on Thule are located: in front of the BX, the base gym and Greenland Contracting Headquarters. Use extra caution while driving, backing, and walking in these areas. Newly assigned personnel and TDY folks sometimes miss the signs.
DRIVER RESPONSIBILITIES
Watch for traffic signs; they are small and often difficult to see because of the high winds we experience here. Ensure all passengers have their seatbelts on before moving the vehicle. All traffic must yield to pedestrians crossing the roadway. This does not mean swerving into the other lane to avoid them, slowing down just enough to miss them, or intimidating them by speeding up. It means coming to a complete stop, if necessary, until they completely clear the roadway. Any time you enter fog, rain, snow, or other visibility limiting factors, turn on your headlights. You may not see any better, but you will be seen.
ROAD CLOSURE SIGNS
There are signs on the roads going to North and South Mountain, BMEWS, and Det 3. There are beacons on top of these signs that flash during storm conditions. The main road signs have smaller individual lights for the individual roads. If these lights are flashing, that road is closed and you may not use it.
GOING TO BMEWS
The weather conditions change rapidly, and a trip up the hill on a dry road under clear blue skies can turn into a slippery mess with 50 MPH winds and icy, wet roads in under an hour. Couple this with your return trip being down hill, and it will get nasty. Slow down, go back, or find a phase shack (small storm shelters). Vehicles have been totaled from rolling over.
TRAVELLING DURING STORM SEASON
All travel off base during the winter storm season is accomplished in accordance with
Thule Air Base Instruction (TABI) 91-101. Basically, this instruction ensures that you
―plan your hike,‖ and you ―hike your plan.‖
STORM SHELTERS
Storm Shelters are emergency shelters on the roads to BMEWS and North and South Mountains. Should you be out on these roads and a storm suddenly comes up on to your party, don’t take an unnecessary chance by trying to make it back to the base. There is a phone there connected directly to the operator. Let the operator know where you are and wait out the storm. You can find these phase shacks, even during storms, by the reflective arrows along the road near, and pointing to, the shelter.
FLIGHTLINE DRIVING
The speed limit is 15 MPH (24.1 KMH), except near an aircraft (within 50 feet) when it is
5 PMH (8 KMH). Don’t drive between aircraft and nearby buildings during loading and off-loading operations. Driving on the flightline is for official business only, and is authorized only when the driver has completed a flightline driving course and certification.
SUMMER FOG
When the temperatures change dramatically in the summer (and it does), fog develops over North Star Bay and will move into the Thule AB Valley. This fog can be so dense as to obscure the entire roadway. Should this happen to you, STOP! Pull to the edge of the road only if you can do so safely. Leave the motor running, with the headlights and emergency flashers on. Do not attempt to leave the vehicle, as you could be struck by another vehicle whose driver cannot see you. Wait until the fog has lifted enough for you to safely operate your vehicle to your destination.
SURVIVAL TIPS:
SAFETY RULES
Know the hazards of your work center. These can include equipment, chemicals, work conditions, or any other threat to your well-being. Your supervisor is required to brief you upon initial assignment to the work area, and whenever these conditions change.
UNEXPLODED ORDNANCE
Thule was once host to over 10,000 military members, including Army personnel assigned to Nike-Hercules missile sites. Mortars and ground-to-air missiles were part of their equipment, and they practiced with them regularly. As with any ordnance, all of it did not detonate. In 1993 one such five-inch mortar was located intact and was destroyed. Should you find anything that even remotely resembles any type of ordnance, do the following:
DO NOT TOUCH IT, OR ATTEMPT TO MOVE IT IN ANY WAY.
As there should be more than one in your party, post a guard to keep others away from it as well, and contact Security Forces, inform them of your find, and follow their instructions.
No matter how neat you might think it would look polished up sitting on your desk or chest of drawers, many of these items are live and VERY UNSTABLE. Leave them alone as they can hurt, maim, or even kill you.
WALKING
While at Thule, it’s recommended that you walk on the left side of the road facing oncoming traffic. Although contrary to stateside standards, this will enable you to watch for vehicles and to get out of the way should they not see you. If you are out walking afte