President Donald Trump ordered the removal of Greenland from under the purview of U.S. European Command to U.S. Northern Command, which is tasked with defending the homeland.

The announcement, which had been expected, came on Tuesday from chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell, who said the change “will strengthen the Joint Force’s ability to defend the U.S. homeland, contributing to a more robust defense of the western hemisphere and deepening relationships with Arctic allies and partners.”