I go to Osan AB a few months ago, but I'm headed to Thule, Greenland next. Will anyone who has been there please share some information?

2016-08-21T20:44:30-04:00

Response by ENS Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 21 at 2016 8:54 PM

2016-08-21T20:54:42-04:00

I do not have any info, but I can point you to some people who may.

Response by MSgt James Mullis made Aug 22 at 2016 10:08 AM

2016-08-22T10:08:40-04:00

Enjoy your time at Osan and get off base as much as you can., once you get to Thule their's just no place to go. I went to Thule in the 90's, so I'm sure things have changed by now. As with any place, you'll either love it or hate it, but back then there was a high percentage of folks who volunteered to stay for multiple tours. What I remember is the best dining hall food in the Air Force (Danish contractors), an excellent all graders club called the TOW (Top of the World) club, and of course it gets very cold and windy, even in the summer.

You'll see lots of Arctic Foxes (don't try fishing for them) its just not a good idea and you might see a Polar Bear. Also, don't let the idiots talk you into a midnight streak round the dorm in a storm (for some reason that used to be a thing).

The climb up Dundas Mountain is fun and there is a great view from up there. If you can, finagle a ride on the Tug Boat, there's nothing like being on the water when one of the glaciers calves off a huge sheet of ice. You may even be able to touch the side of a giant iceberg. They used to break off chunks of ice to use at the TOW club, because it fizzes when you add it to a drink. There are also a number of historic things to see ranging from old Missile installations, to a road onto a glacier that once led to one of the first Nuclear reactors, which is now at the bottom of a glacier.

Greenland is a stark but beautiful country and your tour will be a once in a lifetime experience. My only advice is that you don't turn down any opportunities to get out and see or do things around you. Staying in the dorm and playing video games is no way to live, unless you really like that kind of thing.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 31 at 2016 2:15 AM

2016-08-31T02:15:09-04:00

I spent 16 months at Thule as the 821st ABG deputy commander - June 2014 - Sep 2015. It was my last assignment before retirement, and very possibly my favorite of all. Thule is a very close-knit community - there are only about 120 military personnel there. When I was there, people said the good thing about Thule was everybody knows everybody, and the bad thing about Thule was - well, everybody knows everybody! Of course, it's a different crew now than when I was there a year ago, but don't be surprised if the Chief or the deputy or the base commander plop down in the seat next to you at lunch or dinner or at the club just to chat.

No, there's no "off base", but if you like the outdoors, it is amazing. It's incredibly beautiful in the summer. Winter is a bit rough, as it's dark all the time, but when it's clear, there are still some hikes that are safe to do. Seeing the Milky Way in all its glory on a winter night in Greenland is something I will never forget.

As Security Forces, especially coming from Osan, well, in honesty, you may be a bit bored. There's not a lot of LE - patrols and occasionally escorting someone out of the TOW (Top of the World) Club. The majority of SF work is entry control at the space units.

I highly recommend that you get involved in some of the volunteer opportunities there - honor guard, Operation Julemand (fund raising and activities to purchase Christmas gifts for the Greenland children in the North Greenland "towns").

The new dorms we were building when I was there are open now, I understand, so you should have pretty nice quarters. The food can get a little same-same, but it's decent. Warning, the food at the tiny BX there is expensive and limited. Amazon got a lot of business from us! and people used to bring back suitcases of nonperishables when they went on leave. I heard that COLA was approved last year, so that will help you out. All personnel get BAS there - there is no true "dining hall" - the Dundas Restaurant is the "dining hall" but you pay for meals there. The only other real option is the TOW Club. But the new dorms have shared kitchen facilities for each 4 rooms, plus kitchens in the day rooms.

This post is getting long, so I'll stop here, with one more thing to consider - you will hear bad things about Thule and people will laugh at you for being stationed there, but 99% of the people when I was there thought it was great. Yes, it's remote, but it's like no other place you will ever be stationed. I would have stayed another year, and I would go back if they would let me.

Response by SSgt Justin Kash made Nov 5 at 2016 12:32 AM

2016-11-05T00:32:34-04:00

I spent a year at Thule back in 08/09 as a SSGT 3P. I had a great time there. It is all about the people you are there with that will either make or break your time there. The TOW Club (Top of the World) in mixed Off and enlisted. The Gym was decent and had a bowling alley. The main Chow Hall was surperb. The 24 hr day/night bit is a little trippy at first especially after you close down the club and walk out at 2am and it's a bright as noon.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 24 at 2016 11:09 PM

2016-11-24T23:09:43-05:00

Yeah, it's fucking cold there

Response by SrA Jill Hoffman made Nov 27 at 2016 1:01 AM

2016-11-27T01:01:49-05:00

It's cold, watch out for the krud, save your money, checkout latte world, budda temples, dont spit, play golf, travel off base, no to snake bite shot, eat kimchi no matter what, enjoy mrs kim burger and mando.