Yes, the United States has a military base on Greenland: Thule Air Base.
- Location: Northwest Greenland, 1,207 km (750 miles) north of the Arctic Circle.
- Established: Built in 1943, expanded in 1951 under a U.S.-Denmark defense agreement.
- Purpose:
- Missile Defense: Part of the U.S. Ballistic Missile Early Warning System.
- Space Surveillance: Operated by the U.S. Space Force to monitor satellites.
- Strategic Position: Arctic location monitors North Atlantic and missile threats.
- Personnel: About 600, including U.S. military, Danish staff, and contractors.
- Significance:
- Northernmost U.S. military installation.
- Key for NATO Arctic defense strategy.
I just learned that they are called rare earth elements, or REEs
I did some research and learned that Greenland actually has some successful mining operations underway, typically in the parts that are not under 2000 to 3,000 m of ice, so that's only 20% of Greenland, typically in the coastal areas. The big yield? Ruby's, interestingly enough.
Something I just connected though that makes sense is that Trump is making moves against China with his Panama canal comments, talking about how control over the canal must stay with Panama instead of being given to China. China is also reportedly sniffing around Greenland as well looking for mining opportunities so there is that.
This is not accurate at all. Here:
https://x.com/DakotaSidwell/status/1870243442694967802
Also
Each year, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issues a special Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) authorizing Santa Claus to operate his reindeer-powered sleigh in U.S. airspace on Christmas Eve. This tradition underscores the agency's commitment to safety and adds a festive touch to the holiday season.
In 2020, the FAA granted Santa special operating authority for interstate air-cargo delivery directly to rooftops across the United States. Additionally, for the first time, Santa received a special commercial space license for a crewed mission to the International Space Station using his StarSleigh-1 space capsule powered by the Rudolph Rocket.
Australia has embraced a similar tradition. Airservices Australia allocates Santa the call sign "SLEIGH RIDER ONE" and issues a NOTAM advising aircraft to maintain clearances as he delivers presents across the country on Christmas Eve.
In the United Kingdom, NATS (formerly National Air Traffic Services) coordinates with Santa to ensure his safe passage through UK airspace. They issue a special NOTAM, sometimes referred to as a "SANTAM," to notify other airspace users of Santa's flight on December 24th.
These annual NOTAMs not only ensure Santa's safe journey but also engage the public in aviation traditions during the festive season.
For those interested in tracking Santa's progress, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) provides real-time updates on his location during Christmas Eve.
And while it is not an established tradition and not every pilot chooses to do this in their career, but it is generally considered acceptable by air traffic control for pilots flying transatlantic and trans-pacific routes to contact ATC and inform them that they saw Santa's sleigh. I was told by one airline captain with about 30 years flying experience that he did it once just to get it out of his system, he said, and that ATC took the joke very well.
BREAKING - FAA released their NOTAM as well. Warns of "SEVERE WAKE TURBULENCE"
WTF!
https://x.com/LynxEffect815/status/547645406268907520
https://x.com/kinshasha/status/414332243398496256
https://x.com/Markusshome_run/status/543113059863379968
Map of affected areas:
https://x.com/norminalnerd/status/1869386751778930731
Anyone demanding shitpost flare will get an early Christmas vacation. LOLOLOL and HOHOHO! 😜😁🎅
https://x.com/IanJaeger29/status/1870180671454351617
Statement from Matteo Salvini after the acquittal: ASSOLTO per aver fermato l’immigrazione di massa e difeso il mio Paese. Vince la Lega, vince il buonsenso, vince l’Italia.
Which translates to: ACQUITTED for stopping mass immigration and defending my country. The League wins, common sense wins, Italy wins
Wow, that is so nice to read. I honestly think this mod team is the best of any form anywhere on the internet. And look, most days I just randomly scroll through looking at comments (we are ever vigilant against shills!) And it's just high quality posts from people that really are invested and bought in and are doing their best to fight. It's so wonderful what you guys do. Thanks so much, frog!
Ummm... The earth has been way harder than this in the past, this is actually a pretty cool period