What others say: Strategic investments

  • By Ketchikan Daily News editorial
  • Friday, May 4, 2018 12:56pm
  • Opinion

Funding for the military in Alaska is increasing — as well it should with the state’s strategic location for national defense and economic advantage.

The 2018 Appropriations Bill approved this spring — the largest passed in 15 years — will grow the military presence here in terms of infrastructure.

One of the key points in the bill is a $150 million match of 2017 funds for a new polar icebreaker. This $300 million, added to anticipated icebreaker funding in the upcoming fiscal 2019 Department of Homeland Security budget request, will begin to build an icebreaking fleet necessary to compete with other nations with missions in the Arctic.

Russia, with its large fleet of icebreakers, is of concern to both Alaska and the federal government.

The appropriations bill also includes $51.5 million for U.S. Coast Guard housing and shoreside infrastructure projects, and directs the Coast Guard to support the Arctic Program Office when it comes to waterway safety.

Customs and Border Protection, in tandem with Canada, will be increasingly funded for improving maritime law enforcement at Alaska’s northern Arctic border.

Beyond the Arctic, the appropriations bill allots funds to the Pacific Spaceport Complex, formerly the Kodiak Launch Complex at Narrow Cape on Kodiak Island. The 3,700-acre complex is one of a few in the United States, and they will be receiving $10 million to enhance their capabilities.

Alaska’s complex has the highest orbit capability.

Another $105 million will be used for a flight test of an anti-ballistic missile defense system at the Kodiak-located complex. This is a joint effort with Israel.

The Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex, which includes all of the land, air, sea, space and cyberspace for military training in Alaska, will receive $6 million.

Still more funding will be directed toward Eielson Air Force Base and Fort Greely. Eielson is looking at $168.9 million toward basing two squadrons of the F-35A Join Strike Fighter aircraft there, and construction of missile interceptors will be built at Greely. The Greely funding is above what the Trump administration had requested.

This is a sizable investment in national defense within the state’s borders and for the Alaska economy. Just like Ketchikan benefits from the oil revenue generated primarily in other regions of the state, it also will experience positive defense and economic outcomes from the military funding.

It all increases the importance of Alaska on the national and world stage and provides jobs within the state. When possible, Alaska’s congressional delegation has pushed for local hire, and it is even written into parts of the appropriations bill.

The bill’s effects on Ketchikan might not be as evident as the tourist on the street during the next five months, but it will be as valuable for the future.

— Ketchikan Daily News,

April 28

More in Opinion

Alaska Department of Education and Early Development Commissioner Deena Bishop and Gov. Mike Dunleavy discuss his veto of an education bill during a press conference March 15, 2024, at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini/Juneau Empire file photo)
Opinion: Strong policy, proven results

Why policy and funding go hand in hand.

Former Gov. Frank Murkowski speaks on a range of subjects during an interview with the Juneau Empire in May 2019. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Opinion: The Jones Act — crass protectionism, but for whom?

Alaska is dependent on the few U.S.-built ships carrying supplies from Washington state to Alaska.

Cook Inlet can be seen at low tide from North Kenai Beach on June 15, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Opinion: Solving the Cook Inlet gas crisis

While importing LNG is necessary in the short term, the Kenai Peninsula is in dire need of a stable long-term solution.

Sockeye salmon caught in a set gillnet are dragged up onto the beach at a test site for selective harvest setnet gear in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, July 25, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Capitol Corner: Creating opportunities with better fishery management

Sen. Jesse Bjorkman reports back from Juneau.

The ranked choice outcome for Alaska’s U.S. Senate race is shown during an Alaska Public Media broadcast on Nov. 24, 2022. (Alaska Division of Elections)
Opinion: Alaska should keep ranked choice voting, but let’s make it easier

RCV has given Alaskans a better way to express their preferences.

The Alaska State Capitol on March 1. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Opinion: Keep Alaska open for business

Our job as lawmakers is to ensure that laws passed at the ballot box work effectively on the ground.

Brooke Walters. (Courtesy photo)
Opinion: A student’s letter to the governor

Our education funding is falling short by exuberant amounts.

Rep. Justin Ruffridge, R-Soldotna, speaks in support of debating an omnibus education bill in the Alaska House Chambers on Monday, Feb. 19, 2024. in Juneau, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Capitol Corner: Compromise, not games

Rep. Justin Ruffridge reports back from Juneau.

Image provided by the Office of Mayor Peter Micciche.
Opinion: Taxes, adequate education funding and putting something back into your pocket

Kenai Peninsula Borough taxpayers simply can’t make a dent in the education funding deficit by themselves, nor should they be asked to do so.

Most Read