“Station Nord” in East Greenland is the most remote location of the Danish army, only 933 km from the North Pole, however it plays an invaluable role for both the army and for science – hence the motto: “Lonely but strong”. The station is located in the very flat and beautiful area east of Kap Prins Knud in Kronprins Christian Land (81’36’N, 16’40’W).
The station was constructed for the Americans by “Grønlands Televæsen” back in 1952-53 as in important weather station during the cold war. At the same time the station would serve as an airstrip for aircrafts from the US Air Force that operated in the polar region, and for civilian aircrafts en route across the North Pole. Twice during history “Station Nord” has successfully operated as an emergency landing strip. The construction of a landing strip was finally completed in 1956. An attempt to build two strips perpendicular to each other had to be given up due to the terrain.
The construction of “Station Nord” was done by Danish entrepreneurs and paid for by the Danish government. The USA contributed with transportation of equipment from the newly built Thule Air Base on the Northwest Coast and for some years they helped pay for the operation of the station. Some of the equipment that the US Air Force originally supplied is still in use by the personnel on the station. In April 1971 the USA announced that the US Air Force would seize the air support of goods and fuel from Thule to “Station Nord”, because the operation of the station was no longer regarded as necessary for Thule Air Base and US Air Force operations in the polar region. The Danish government then decided to close the station since it was deemed too expensive to run without the American support. The station closed in late June 1972 in spite of protests from the scientific community and internally in the Danish army.
Before the station was closed the army had worked on the possibility to return to Northeast Greenland. It was important to Denmark and the Danish army to be able to fly and land in the northern part of the National Park and to support the operations of the dog sledge patrol Sirius in the area. In 1974 the defence department approved a plan designed by the defence command to start looking for a suitable location for a patrol station and a landing strip. The recognisance began in March the same year and was carried out by transport aircrafts from the air force and helicopters from “Grønlandsfly” among others. During these flights, cabins for the sledge patrol Sirius were built and patrol depots were restocked. Furthermore automatic weather stations were set up in North Greenland. As a result of the investigations the defence command decided to reopen “Station Nord” in a trial period in August 1975. The station has served as a gateway to the northern parts of Greenland until today and will continue to do so for many years to come. The operation of the station is the responsibility of GLK (Grønlandskommandoen).
Present assignments for “Station Nord”
“Station Nord” is daily manned with personnel from the 3 defences of the Dansih army. There are 5 people who are all volunteers and stationed there one year at a time, however it is common with a 2 year service period. Normally 2-3 people are replaced every year, so that there are always someone on the station with experience and knowledge of the place. The demand to applicants for “Station Nord” is a stable psyche and preferably an education in construction and minimum 3 years of satisfactory service within the army. The reason for wanting people with an education in construction stationed there is the isolation, so the personnel must be able to carry out repairs on their own. Most applicants are 25-30 years old and have no relationships that would keep them in Denmark – this is to ensure a stable psychological working environment.
Prior to selection all applicants go through a psychological test, cooperation exercises and a thorough medical and dental examination. After the selection the team undergoes a 3 month course, where they are instructed in the use and maintenance of the equipment on the station and also an advanced first aid course.
The mission for “Station Nord” is to support the Danish Air Force in Greenland and the sledge patrol Sirius and sending daily weather reports to the weather station “Danmarks Havn”.
The landing strip is kept open for as long as possible during the year, which is approximately 300 days out of the 365. For clearing the landing strip the station uses two large snow slings and two snow ploughs. This work is usually done in darkness since the station due to its northern placement is enshrouded in darkness for 5½ month during one year. Another important assignment is checking and taking readings from all the scientific measuring instruments, which are placed all around the station. During the winter the personnel also spend their time maintaining the vehicles and buildings. This work is all done indoors, since any outdoor activities are almost impossible during the winter. The personnel take turns one week at the time doing the daily routine jobs, so that every person is in the kitchen and also monitors the radio every 5th week. The entire station is divided into working areas where every person is responsible for 2 or 3 areas. One area could be plumbing, which includes any and all pipes on the station, repairing these and the ordering of any spare parts that may be needed. These will be delivered by aircraft during the summer as aircrafts are the only means of supplying the station. Everybody work together and help each other with the different working areas.
During the summer the station is the centre of hectic activity, since it is the gateway to North and Northeast Greenland. Geologists, biologists, cartographers, glaciologists and many other scientists plus a team to restock the depots for the Sirius patrol is coming. The work for the 5 men on the station (plus 1 cook during the 3 busy summer months) is to help the guests with living quarters and renting out vehicles and driving them. This particular use of the station is managed on a rental basis, where the income helps finance the operation of the station. Any outdoor repairs must be completed within the 3 months, that the artic summer lasts.
The station also receives prominent guests. Crown Prince Frederik visited and spent the night in connection with the “Sirius 2000” expedition. Queen Margrethe and Prince Henrik visited the station in connection with the same event. Furthermore chiefs from both the Danish army and foreign military units visit the station almost every year.
By Martin Jens Nielsen & John Lau Hansen
“Station Nord” 1999-2001
Historical source: “Grønlands Kommando i 50 år” by Per Herholt Jensen
