Challenging Yet Rewarding Visit to Northernmost Military Installation
General Manager Teo Smith, Regional Vice President Rebecca Santee, Senior Enlisted Advisor CMSgt. Reyes and Regional Vice President Ronnie Rexrode are proud to support troops at Thule.
Far from the friendly confines of the United States sits an air base that has no gate or roads leading into it. The only way in or out is by air, and even that mode of transportation is not a given considering the environmental factors unique to Greenland.
Thule AB is the Air Force’s northernmost base, located just 900 miles from the North Pole. It is home to the 21st Space Wing’s global network of sensors providing missile warning, space surveillance and space control to North American Aerospace Defense Command and Air Force Space Command.
From the fact that the sun doesn’t set in the summer to the below freezing, sunless days in winter, the weather conditions at Thule are unlike any other base.
– Senior Enlisted Advisor CMSgt Reyes
CMSgt Reyes, as part of his role as senior enlisted advisor, visits Exchange facilities around the world to ensure that Soldiers, Airmen and their families have the products and services they need. His schedule for this particular trip had him flying into Thule on a Thursday morning in late June and flying back out the next day. Mother Nature had other plans.
After being re-routed to an airport two hours south of Thule on Thursday due to fog, Reyes’ flight on Friday made two attempts at landing in heavy fog, but pulled up at the last minute each time, ultimately returning to the airport where the day began in Kangerlussuaq. Finally, on Saturday morning, after nearly 48 hours since departing Dallas, Reyes arrived at Thule.
Being able to go out and buy something for your room, something to clean with or food to cook, it’s always a welcome touch up here. The Exchange brings home to us
– Base Commander COL Christopher Eager
Once there, he toured Exchange facilities and met with 821st Air Base Group Commander COL Christopher Eagan to see firsthand how the Exchange is supporting Airmen at Thule.
“I have a brand-new respect for those who are stationed at Thule,” Reyes said. “Not only from the standpoint of how difficult it was to get there, but the conditions the Airmen live in as well. From the fact that the sun doesn’t set in the summer to the below-freezing, sunless days in winter, the weather conditions at Thule are unlike any other base. I was very pleased to see that the Exchange is providing them with that much-needed and appreciated taste of home.”
In addition to the normal assortment found at Exchanges and Expresses across the world, Thule is a bit different due its location. Since there is no commissary at Thule, the Exchange has broadened its selection. Meat is flown in monthly from Europe as part of a collaborative effort with the Defense Commissary Agency. Vegetables and dairy products are flown in weekly from New Jersey, making Thule the only Exchange in the world selling produce.
“Everybody likes a little taste of home,” COL Eagan said. “Being able to go out and buy something for your room, something to clean with or food to cook, it’s always a welcome touch up here. The Exchange brings home to us.”
