History of the area

Archaeological excavations in the area have revealed traces of Paleo-Inuit acativity – especiallly around the large summer settlement at Aasivissuit.

Photographs and newspaper clippings tell the story of Kangerlussuaq’s history as an American air base. The airport was founded during World War II as a port of intermediate landing for military planes travelling the long route to Europe from the US. Later, during the Cold War, Kangerlussuaq became a supply station for the American DYE radar stations on the Ice cap. From Kangerlussuaq large Hercules planes were able to transport oil and other provisions to the manned DYE stations that were part of the American missile defence system.