A Cold War relic has emerged from Greenland’s icy depths, sparking intrigue and a renewed focus on America’s strategic past. NASA scientists, utilizing advanced radar technology, recently rediscovered Camp Century—a massive military installation buried 100 feet beneath Greenland’s ice sheet. What they found was not just a relic but a reminder of an era when America’s ingenuity aimed to outmaneuver Soviet threats during the nuclear arms race.
Initially constructed in the 1960s at the height of Cold War tensions, Camp Century was more than a military outpost—it was an audacious plan for survival and dominance. Built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s directive, the “city under the ice” was envisioned as part of “Project Iceworm.” This top-secret initiative aimed to carve out 3,000 miles of tunnels beneath the ice, creating a hidden launchpad for 600 nuclear missiles.
With its 52,000-square-mile footprint—roughly the size of Louisiana—Camp Century was designed to be a strategic stronghold capable of delivering devastating blows to Soviet and Eastern European targets. These missiles, fired from “cut-and-cover” tunnels just 28 feet below the ice, could obliterate 80% of identified U.S. targets in the Soviet Union, giving America a decisive edge.
However, the project’s true purpose was kept hidden from Denmark, which owns Greenland. Officially described as a “scientific research station,” the true nature of Project Iceworm only came to light decades later in 1997.
NASA’s discovery of Camp Century was entirely serendipitous. Researchers conducting ice-bed interface mapping with a Gulfstream III aircraft were astonished when their radar picked up signs of underground construction.
“We were looking for the bed of the ice, and out pops Camp Century,” said Alex Gardner, a cryospheric scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The unexpected discovery underscores how even the most advanced modern technology can bring historical secrets back into focus.
The station, decommissioned in 1967, was ultimately abandoned due to the logistical challenges of operating beneath Greenland’s shifting ice sheet. The project, which cost the equivalent of $25 billion in today’s dollars, remains a testament to Cold War ambition and the lengths the U.S. was willing to go to secure its interests.
The discovery comes at a time when Greenland’s strategic importance is again making headlines. During his presidency, Donald Trump famously proposed purchasing Greenland from Denmark, recognizing the island’s untapped resources and geostrategic value.
Greenland’s location offers access to critical Arctic shipping routes and vast natural resources, aligning with Trump’s vision of strengthening America’s global positioning. Critics scoffed at the idea, but the rediscovery of Camp Century underscores the foresight in recognizing Greenland’s potential as a strategic asset.
Camp Century is more than a relic; it’s a reminder of America’s resilience and resourcefulness during an era of existential threats. As tensions rise in the Arctic and global powers vie for influence, this forgotten “city under the ice” stands as a chilling reminder that strategic vision is timeless—even when buried beneath 100 feet of ice.
