The Polar Republic — Greenland’s Path to Independence and the Flying Bears

In 1951, the United States began construction of Thule Air Base on Greenland, under an agreement with Denmark, which then governed the vast Arctic island. Officially, Thule was meant to serve as a northern defensive outpost in the emerging Cold War — a vital radar and refueling station between the superpowers.

But beneath the surface, both literally and politically, lay a secret.

Unbeknownst to Denmark — and certainly to the Greenlandic population — the U.S. military had initiated a classified operation: Project Iceworm. Conceived as an underground network of tunnels, it was designed to host mobile nuclear missile launchers hidden under the ice sheet, able to strike targets across the Soviet Union. The program centered around four main sites: Thule itself, Camp TUTO, Camp Fistclench, and the most ambitious — Camp Century, built 240 kilometers east of Thule and powered by its own portable nuclear reactor.

Officially, the project was described as a “scientific research station.” In reality, it was an early attempt to militarize the Arctic — a frozen labyrinth of steel and secrecy.

The secret held for a time. Until 1962.

That winter, a malfunction at Camp Century’s nuclear reactor led to a small-scale radiation leak — quickly contained, but not before word of the incident reached Danish journalists through an anonymous whistleblower. Within weeks, Danish and Greenlandic newspapers broke the story of “the nuclear base under the ice.” The revelation ignited a storm.

Across Denmark, citizens took to the streets, accusing Washington of deception. In Greenland, the outrage ran even deeper. Many Greenlanders, long treated as a colony rather than a partner, saw the American bases as symbols of foreign occupation — and now, evidence of exploitation.

Under mounting international pressure, the U.S. government formally canceled Project Iceworm in April 1963. But the damage was done.

The political shockwave in Greenland sparked a powerful independence movement. What began as protests in Nuuk and Ilulissat spread rapidly. By early 1964, Greenlandic leaders — supported by a growing number of sympathetic Danish politicians — negotiated a referendum on sovereignty.

On February 17, 1964, the vote was overwhelming: 85% in favor of full independence and neutrality.

On January 10, 1965, the Republic of Greenland was declared — a neutral Arctic nation, independent but determined to maintain peaceful relations with both the East and the West.

Yet independence came with an immediate challenge: defense.

The fledgling nation possessed no army, navy, or air force. However, during the protests of 1963, a group of activists had seized four UH-34 Seahorse helicopters from an abandoned U.S. storage facility near Thule. The aircraft were intact, but in need of maintenance. Rather than return them, the new Greenlandic government saw an opportunity.

With discreet assistance from Sweden and Switzerland, both fellow neutral states, the UH-34s were refurbished at a workshop in Reykjavik. Engineers modified the helicopters with short, stubby wings, allowing them to carry small pods for reconnaissance cameras, rocket pods, or depth charges for maritime patrol.

Painted in snow-white camouflage with the emblem of a polar bear clutching a red star, the aircraft became the foundation of the Greenlandic Air Corps — affectionately known as the “Flying Bears.”

By mid-1966, the four UH-34s were operational, their first missions focused on search and rescue, fishery protection, and ice patrols along Greenland’s treacherous coastline. Despite their limited capabilities, the aircraft became national symbols — representing Greenland’s independence and self-reliance amid the Cold War.

Tragedy struck in December 1968, when one of the helicopters — Bear Three — disappeared during a violent snowstorm while patrolling the Prins Christian Sund. No wreckage was ever found, and the loss became part of Greenlandic folklore.

The remaining three “Flying Bears” continued service until the early 1980s, replaced by AS332 helicopters. One aircraft survives today — displayed proudly at the National Museum of Greenland in Qaqortoq, a silent reminder of the moment when a small Arctic nation dared to take control of its skies.