In a strategic move, President Donald Trump has ordered that Greenland be transferred from the U.S. European Command to the U.S. Northern Command, tightening America’s grip on Arctic defense at a time of escalating global conflict.

The Pentagon confirmed the shift Tuesday, saying it brings Pituffik Space Base, the northernmost U.S. military installation, under Northern Command’s jurisdiction. 

The base, located north of the Arctic Circle, is critical to U.S. and NATO missile warning and space surveillance operations.

“The President recently ordered a change to the Unified Command Plan. This change shifts Greenland from the U.S. European Command area of responsibility to the U.S. Northern Command area of responsibility,” wrote Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell in a release on Tuesday.

President Trump changed the command of the Greenland base in a strategic move as Russia and China take more interest in the Arctic region. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Though the change marks a clear shift in strategic oversight, initial indications suggest the impact will be mostly administrative. No major operational disruptions are expected, according to a U.S. defense official familiar with the transition.