The nuclear accident in Greenland occurred on January 21, 1968, when a United States Air Force B-52 bomber carrying nuclear weapons crashed near Thule Air Base, a U.S. military installation in northern Greenland. This incident, often referred to as the Thule Air Base crash, resulted in the partial detonation of conventional explosives onboard, dispersing radioactive material over the icy landscape.
Thule Air Base was a key part of the United States' early warning radar system during the Cold War, monitoring potential Soviet missile launches.
The base supported the U.S. military's nuclear deterrence strategy.
The B-52 bomber was part of Operation Chrome Dome, a U.S. military program that involved keeping nuclear-armed bombers airborne 24/7 to ensure rapid retaliation capability during the Cold War.
The B-52 bomber was flying a routine mission when a fire broke out in the cabin.
The crew attempted to make an emergency landing at Thule Air Base but were forced to abandon the aircraft.
The bomber crashed approximately 7 miles west of the base onto the sea ice of North Star Bay.
Six of the seven crew members ejected safely, but one crew member was killed.
The aircraft was carrying four hydrogen bombs. However, the nuclear cores did not detonate, the conventional explosives in the bombs detonated upon impact, scattering plutonium, uranium, and tritium across the icy environment.
The U.S. and Denmark conducted the cleanup operation, known as Operation Crested Ice.
Over 700 workers, including U.S. military personnel and Danish laborers, were involved in recovering debris and radioactive material.
Workers used heavy machinery to cut and remove contaminated ice, snow, and debris, which was then transported to the United States for disposal.
The crash caused widespread radioactive contamination over the crash site.
Despite extensive cleanup efforts, some radioactive material remains in the area, as parts of the weapons were never recovered.
Missing Nuclear Material:
Reports indicate that portions of one hydrogen bomb may have sunk into the ocean and were never fully recovered. This has fueled speculation and concern about residual contamination.
Aftermath
The crash exposed the presence of U.S. nuclear weapons at Thule Air Base, which had previously been kept secret from the Danish government and public.
Legal and Health Concerns:
Many Danish workers involved in the cleanup later reported health problems, including cancers, which they attributed to radiation exposure.
Following the Thule accident, Operation Chrome Dome was terminated, marking the end of constant airborne patrols with nuclear weapons.
