About this Unit
The 4684th Air Base Group was a United States Air Force unit active during the height of the Cold War. Stationed at Thule Air Base in Greenland, the group was responsible for base operations, support, and security for U.S. and allied forces in the strategic Arctic region. Its mission included maintaining vital infrastructure to support early warning radar systems as part of North America's air defense network. The 4684th played a crucial role in sustaining American presence and readiness in the far north before being inactivated as Air Force organizational structures evolved.
Historical Facts
• Origins: The 4684th Air Base Group was activated in the 1950s as part of the United States Air Force during the Cold War era, primarily to provide base support functions at remote installations.
• Location: The unit was famously stationed at Thule Air Base in Greenland, one of the northernmost military installations in the world.
• Strategic Role: The 4684th supported early warning radar operations, crucial for detecting Soviet missile launches during the height of the Cold War.
• Extreme Conditions: Personnel at Thule faced harsh arctic conditions, including months of darkness and extreme cold, which required specialized training and equipment.
• Operation Blue Jay: The construction and support of Thule Air Base, supported by the 4684th, was one of the largest engineering feats of its time, involving the secret deployment of thousands of personnel and tons of material.
• Greenland’s Ice Cap: The unit often worked in cooperation with scientific teams, supporting research on the Greenland ice cap and polar weather patterns.
• International Cooperation: The 4684th worked with Danish authorities, as Greenland is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, fostering unique international military relationships.
• Support for BMEWS: The unit played a key role in supporting the Ballistic Missile Early Warning System (BMEWS) radars, a cornerstone of US and NATO defense.
• Humanitarian Missions: Besides military duties, the unit provided emergency medical and rescue support for civilian and scientific expeditions in the remote Arctic region.
• Legacy: The 4684th Air Base Group was eventually inactivated, but its contributions to Cold War defense and Arctic operations remain recognized in US Air Force history.
