A senior U.S. military official stationed in Greenland has been dismissed after sending an email criticizing Vice President JD Vance’s remarks about Denmark’s management of the island. Colonel Susannah Meyers, who was in charge of Pituffik Space Base, was removed from her position after the U.S. military’s Space Operations Command expressed a “loss of confidence in her ability to lead.”
In her email, Meyers stated that Vance’s comments did not represent the views of the base. This was in response to Vance’s remarks during a visit to Greenland, where he claimed that Denmark had not adequately invested in the territory’s security. His visit was controversial, and many local leaders condemned it, especially since it came at a sensitive time for Danish and Greenlandic politics.
Meyers sent her email to all personnel at the base, including Danish and Greenlandic staff. She reflected on the impact of Vance’s visit and emphasized that the concerns raised by the Vice President were not reflective of Pituffik Space Base. The email was confirmed as authentic by the U.S. Space Force.
Following her dismissal, the chief spokesperson for the Pentagon shared the news and stated that undermining the chain of command would not be tolerated within the Department of Defense. Col. Shawn Lee will take over Meyers’ duties.
Meyers had taken command of the base in July of the previous year. Before her, Lee was a squadron commander at a Space Force station in Alaska. This incident highlights the ongoing tensions between U.S. officials and local leaders in Greenland, especially regarding military presence and investment in the region.