Danish Liaison Officer plays integral role at Thule

Published April 9, 2008
By 1st Lt. Nicole Langley
821st Air Base Group Public Affairs

THULE AIR BASE, Greenland -- Thule Air Base has many components that set it apart from the typical Air Force base. Located in Greenland, a part of the Kingdom of Denmark, the base is home to a diverse group of people who ensure that everything runs smoothly.

One of those individuals is the Danish Liaison Officer.

Commonly referred to as the DLO, this position has been present on base since the installation opened in 1951 and serves as a representative of the Island Commander of Greenland. The DLO is primarily responsible for assisting the base commander in all aspects involving Denmark and Greenland.

Thule's current DLO is Lt. Col. John Blagreen of the Royal Danish Air Force. Since Thule is an air base, it might be assumed that all DLOs are Danish Air Force members. However, Colonel Blagreen made the record books as the first Air Force DLO, when he assumed the position July 2, 2007. Since 1951, all DLOs have been Danish Navy commanders.

The DLO and his two-person staff, consisting of Navy Chief Petty Officers Soren Pedersen and Lars Iversen, are part of Thule AB commander Col. Lee-Volker Cox's staff. They are also responsible for ensuring accordance with the spirit of the 1951 U.S.-Danish defence treaty and other international agreements. They advise Colonel Cox and serve as the liaison between the Danish and Greenlandic base population, Greenland Home Rule, the Qaanaaq District, the Thule City Council, Air Greenland and the Tele-Post.

"The DLO is vital to our space superiority mission at Thule and an instrumental member of my staff," said Colonel Cox. "I couldn't have asked for a better leadership team partner."

The DLO's position is multi-faceted and he has many other responsibilities, which include serving as an interim Danish Police Inspector when he is off the island and, on behalf of the Danish High Commissioner in Greenland, he has the authority to conduct weddings.

Additionally, the DLO and his staff are also responsible for verifying foreign visitors to Thule AB are authorized, and meet all Air Greenland aircraft arriving from other parts of Greenland and Denmark to ensure that passengers onboard are allowed to enter the Thule Defence Area.

The DLO supports all Danish military aircraft and ships that arrive at Thule and assists them while on base. He also coordinates and supports, in conjunction with the base commander, official visits by Danish and foreign distinguished visitors and scientific research groups and expeditions.

And, without the contributions and continuity provided by the DLO's office, Operation Julemand - the base's ongoing annual fundraiser to purchase gifts for children in local villages - and Armed Forces Day wouldn't be nearly as successful for Team Thule and the gift recipients.

For those at Thule, it's obvious that the DLO plays an integral role in the workings of Thule AB and the local communities.

"We work hand-in-hand everyday on issues ranging from country clearances to U.S.-Danish Arctic military operations," said Colonel Cox.

The DLO and staff, who typically serve at Thule for two years, agree that there are many highlights of working at Thule AB, including the base's multi-culture and the harsh, but beautiful climate.

"Our friendship and close cooperation parallel the relations between the U.S. and Denmark," explained Colonel Cox. "Our countries have been allies and friends for hundreds of years. Thule Air Base is a superb example of what friends can get done when we work together."