Most U.S. bases around the world celebrate Armed Forces Day on its properly designated day, May 21. However, due to a few unique aspects of living in the Arctic, Thule Air Base chooses to celebrate this singular occasion a little early every year. That chosen time is Easter weekend.
Armed Forces Day was established in 1949 as a holiday for citizens to come together and thank military members for their patriotic service in support of our country. In that regard, it is typically a festive event in which community members are invited onto the base to celebrate side by side with service members. Due to Thule AB’s extremely remote location, 750 miles north of the Arctic Circle, off-base community members are in short supply. The nearest neighbors are either 62 miles (100 km) north from a village called Qaanaaq, or 75 miles (120 km) south to Savissivik.
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