Keeping Alaska’s Military Strong

Alaska is so integral to our nation’s national defense the Department of Defense spends more than $3 billion annually in the state. Almost 13 percent of Alaska’s state employment opportunities are tied to the military. Senator Begich’s work on the Armed Services Committee has led to the inclusion of several key elements and resources to further bolster Alaska’s military in the annual National Defense Authorization Act and Defense Appropriations Act. Initiatives include securing $1.2 billion for sustainment and modernization of the Ground-based interceptors deployed in Alaska and California to protect against a missile threat from a rogue nation, supporting almost $1.3 billion in Fiscal Years 2010-2012 for military construction in Alaska, and securing legislative provisions to promote renewable energy projects, ensure military mission compatibility, and eliminate wasteful Pentagon spending.

Earlier this year, the Air Force put forth a proposal to transfer a squadron of F-16s from Eielson Air Force Base in Fairbanks to Joint Base Elemendorf-Richardson in Anchorage. Not only would the transfer have cost a significant amount of scarce taxpayer dollars to implement, it would have left the gateway to the world’s best training range underused, negatively impacting national security and readiness. Senator Begich successfully fought the proposal, and the Air Force has agreed to put the move on hold.

Supporting Members of the Armed Forces and Their Families

Senator Begich has had the opportunity to see our troops on the ground first-hand, having made two trips to Afghanistan in 2009 and 2012. He was also one of the first people to greet Alaska Army National Guard troops returning from a nine-month deployment to Afghanistan in November 2012. Senator Begich believes we must take care of our military members and families and has worked hard on their behalf to secure extension of benefit programs like space-available travel, extension of compensation programs, cost of living adjustments, annual pay raises and increased resources for family support programs. In his capacity as a member of the Armed Services Committee, Senator Begich was able to extend Tricare coverage for dependents until age 26 from age 23. He also secured a provision in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 expanding telehealth services for service members. This is especially important for Alaska National Guardsmen living in remote areas requiring health services.

Working Hand-in-Hand

Alaska has a long history with the military and Senator Begich's priority is to ensure the relationship remains as strong as it has been since General Billy Mitchell’s statement in 1935. In 2009, Senator Begich helped restore pensions for members of Alaska’s Territorial Guard who protected the State of Alaska during World War II. He supports many projects that promote a strong military and civilian partnership. One of these is the Innovative Readiness Training Program. Through this program Reservists are relocating the village of Newtok to a new site across the Bay called Metarvik. Senator Begich personally visited this project in 2010 and was able to see the progress made by the military to support our Alaskan Natives. He also believes environmental remediation of former defense sites, like St. Lawrence Island, is imperative and must occur in a timely manner. This is all part of Senator Begich’s tireless work with the Department of Defense to clean up Alaska.

Senator Begich has also invested a significant amount of time advocating for Alaska’s defense industry. His efforts include supporting a Lockheed Martin partnership with Alaska Aerospace Corporation as well as work on protecting small business opportunities with the Department of Defense.