Message From Kevin McCabe, Alaska House District 30 Port Mac rail extension a roadmap to shared success
Message From Dan Sullivan, U.S. Senator, R-Alaska Putting Alaska back at the center of military greatness
A lliance Members and Friends: Alaska has long been on the front lines of defending the United States. During World War II and throughout the Cold War, our state played a central role in pro- tecting the homeland. But after the Cold War, that focus shifted, and the Pentagon began to treat Alaska like a strategic backwater — closing bases, shuttering armories and proposing reductions in force levels. Since I was elected, working with Alaskans across the state, I made it a priority to reverse this trend and reestablish Alaska as a cornerstone of America’s defense. Because of this effort, we are now in the midst of the most significant military buildup in Alaska since World War II. At a recent Senate Armed Ser- vices Committee hearing, Gen. Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, confirmed the Administration’s budget includes a major new invest- ment: the Fighter Town Recapital- ization Project at Joint Base Elmen - dorf-Richardson. This historic project will modernize JBER with a state- of-the-art fighter complex capable of supporting multiple platforms for decades, with a total investment of $7 billion, likely the biggest military investment in our state’s history. This project will not only sig- nificantly strengthen our national security and power projection in the Arctic but will also bring a signifi - cant economic boon to our state. In 2022, Alaska’s 4/25 Infantry Brigade Combat Team was reflagged to become the storied 11th Airborne Division, now one of only two air- borne divisions in the entire U.S.
defense, the Long Range Discrim- ination Radar at Clear Space Force Station is now operational, enhanc- ing our ability to detect and defeat advanced threats, alongside upgrades to the COBRA DANE radar and new missile interceptors at Fort Greely. This buildup is significantly boosting our state’s economy and providing good-paying jobs for Alaskans. But it’s also keeping our homeland safe. It comes at a time of increasing aggression from our adversaries in the Arctic. Since 2019, there have been more than 100 Rus- sian aircraft incursions, four Chinese vessel transits, and over a dozen joint Russian-Chinese operations off Alaska’s coasts and in our airspace. In recent hearings I chaired, both in Anchorage on Arctic mari- time investments and in the Sen- ate Armed Services Committee on military readiness, senior military leaders made clear these incursions are becoming the new normal — coordinated efforts by Russia and China to test America’s defenses and resolve in the Arctic, making these military investments more important than ever. These developments underscore a simple reality: Alaska is once again being recognized for what it has always been — the cornerstone of America’s Arctic defense. We are rebuilding the military strength that our state requires, our nation de- pends on and sending a clear mes- sage to our adversaries that the Unit- ed States is prepared to defend our interests in the Arctic and beyond.
A lliance Members and Friends: There is a recent report from the Ted Stevens Center for Arctic Security Studies that every- one in our state should read. It is titled “Port MacKenzie: Unleashing Alaska’s Extraordinary Resource Potential and Increasing American Mineral Production.” This is not just another policy paper. It is a roadmap showing how Alaska can create jobs, grow our economy and strengthen na- tional security. This is not a project we can af- ford to delay. Completing the rail will open efficient export routes for our minerals, LNG pipe im- port, timber and other resources. It will also unlock critical miner- als such as antimony, copper, zinc and molybdenum. These are min- erals our military and industries need. Producing them here at home reduces reliance on foreign sources, especially China. Port MacKenzie is one of a kind. It is the only year-round
not finished. This project is not about com- peting with other ports. It is about complementing them and max- imizing Alaska’s extraordinary resource potential. Every day we delay is a day we leave jobs and economic opportunity on the table. The minerals that Alaska can produce are critical. Antimony, for example, is vital for defense applications, and the United States currently has no domestic production. Completing the rail extension is the key to unlocking these resources here at home. We all need to continue advo- cating for federal grants, pub- lic-private partnerships, and state support to finish the rail. Alaska deserves jobs, economic growth, and security. It is time to finish what we started and unleash the full potential of Alaska’s resourc- es for our communities and for the nation.
military. This outcome did not hap- pen by accident — it followed years of sustained effort I led pushing back against proposals that would have reduced or hollowed out the brigade, including direct engagement with se- nior Pentagon leaders, public advoca - cy and close coordination with Alas- ka’s military and community leaders to underscore the unit’s strategic value. These efforts helped secure the 4/25’s future and elevate its mission, marking a true change in the Penta - gon’s approach to the Arctic by rec- ognizing Alaska is a central platform for projecting American strength and defending the homeland. The momentum didn’t end there. Eielson Air Force Base now hosts two squadrons of F-35s, and togeth- er with F-22s at JBER, Alaska now has more than 100 fifth-generation fighters, the largest concentration of these advanced aircraft anywhere in the world. We have also strengthened our refueling capabilities by securing additional KC-135 tankers at Eielson Air Force Base — bringing criti- cal support aircraft, personnel, and families to the Interior. On missile
deep-water port in the U.S. Arc- tic. It has a shorter route to Asia than any other Alaska port and plenty of land for expansion. Fin- ishing the rail will make Alaska more competitive, strengthen our trade with allies and enhance na- tional security in the Arctic. The state has already invest- ed more than $184 million in the Point Mac Rail extension, and the borough has continued investing in upgrades, planning and opera- tions. That investment is important, but it only goes so far if the rail is
Kevin McCabe (R-Big Lake) serves Alaska House District 30
Scan the QR code to read the full report on Port MacKenzie’s potential, as well as other briefs by the Ted Stevens Center for Arctic Security Studies
Sincerely, U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska)
11
10
THE LINK: The Official Magazine of the Alaska Support Industry Alliance | SUMMER 2026
www.AlaskaAlliance.com
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online