Thanks to a grant from the U.S. Dept. of War, Alaska now has a state office that is focused on advancing the state’s role as a strategic location for national defense.

Announced on July 30 by Gov. Mike Dunleavy and Major General Torrence Saxe, the new Alaska Military Affairs Office seeks to strengthen partnerships among military installations, communities, industry and government.

The new office will serve as the State of Alaska’s central coordinating entity for military affairs, in an effort to ensure Alaska remains the nation’s most capable and competitive location for current and future defense missions.

“Alaska has never been more strategically important to our nation’s security than it is today,” Dunleavy said in announcing the new office. “This office will strengthen coordination across state government and help position Alaska for continued military investment and economic growth.”

The announcement notes that Alaska’s unique geographic position, at the crossroads of the Arctic, Indo-Pacific, and North American homeland, has made the state increasingly vital to national defense.

The office, with support through a grant from the Department of War will collaborate with military partners, federal agencies, local governments, Alaska Native organizations, economic development organizations, educational institutions, and private-sector partners to advance statewide military priorities and serve as the primary state liaison for supporting the Alaska Military Affairs Commission.

The office will lead statewide efforts to:

— Advise the governor and state agencies on military affairs and defense-related economic development.

— Coordinate long-range planning for infrastructure that supports defense operations and military resilience.

— Strengthen partnerships among military installations, local governments, Tribal organizations, industry, educational institutions and community organizations.

— Develop and maintain a statewide strategic plan for protecting existing military missions while positioning Alaska for future growth.

— Coordinate closely with Alaska’s congressional delegation and federal partners on military priorities affecting the state.

— Support collaborative initiatives that improve quality of life for service members and families while enhancing community resilience and economic development.

“Alaska’s future is inseparable from America’s security,” Dunleavy said. “This office ensures that our state is organized, proactive, and united in supporting the service members, families, installations, and communities that make Alaska indispensable to our nation’s defense.”

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