Thule gets new commander
THULE AIR BASE, Greenland -- Col. Mark Allen (right), receives the 821st Air Base Group guidon from Col. Stephen N. Whiting, 21st Space Wing commander, during the group’s change-of-command ceremony at the Dundas fitness center Aug. 12. As the installation commander, Colonel Allen is responsible for the administration and security of the Air Force’s largest overseas and America’s northernmost base comprised of the Thule Defense Area. As the senior U.S. government representative to Greenland, he guides international relations ensuring compliance of all the agreements between the U.S., Danish and Greenlandic governments. He also directs operations of the world’s northernmost deep seaport and the Arctic’s largest airfield and provides full-spectrum base support for about 650 year-round residents. (Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Sarah Beasley)