The U.S. Space Force has appointed a new commander at its strategic outpost in Greenland following the removal of Colonel Susannah Meyers, who was relieved of duty after expressing disagreement with comments made by Vice President J.D. Vance during a recent official visit. Colonel Shawn Lee now assumes command of Pituffik Space Base, a key installation for space surveillance and missile warning operations in the Arctic.
Colonel Meyers, who had led the base until early April, was dismissed for what the Department of Defense describes as a “loss of confidence in her ability to lead.” The decision stems from an internal email she sent shortly after Vice President Vance’s March tour of the facility. In the message, Meyers attempted to distance the base personnel from political statements made by the vice president, specifically those criticizing the administration’s broader foreign policy and defense priorities in the Arctic region.
According to Military.com, Meyers wrote that concerns expressed by Vance during his visit “do not reflect the sentiments of leadership or service members stationed at Pituffik.” She further noted that the Space Force team in Greenland remains committed to its mission and to the constitutional principle of civilian oversight of the military but believed it was important to affirm the base’s neutrality amid increasing political polarization.
While the contents of Vance’s remarks have not been fully disclosed, sources familiar with the visit say he criticized the current administration’s “strategic neglect of northern defense infrastructure” and implied that Arctic operations were underfunded and under-prioritized. Meyers’ rebuttal, though not public, was widely shared within the Department of the Air Force and eventually reached senior defense officials.
The Pentagon’s decision to relieve Meyers of command signals a firm stance on maintaining chain-of-command discipline and the apolitical nature of military leadership. However, the action has also sparked debate in military and political circles about the balance between military professionalism and the right of commanders to respond to political messaging that may affect morale or public perception.
Colonel Shawn Lee, a seasoned Space Force officer with previous leadership roles in missile defense and orbital operations, takes over at a time of growing strategic importance for the Pituffik installation. The base, formerly known as Thule Air Base, plays a critical role in missile early-warning systems, satellite tracking, and supporting the broader goals of U.S. space dominance in the High North.
Lee’s appointment is expected to bring stability as the Space Force continues to integrate its Arctic mission with NATO and allied defense strategies. He is tasked with not only overseeing the base’s complex technological infrastructure but also maintaining morale and operational readiness amid renewed scrutiny from the Pentagon and elected officials.
Colonel Meyers has not issued a public statement since her removal, and the Department of Defense has not announced whether she will be reassigned or retire. The episode is the latest in a series of high-profile command changes across the U.S. military related to political tensions and internal communications.
