Anchorage’s future is being built at JBER, and Sen. Dan Sullivan helped make it happen

By REP. JAMIE ALLARD

May 11, 2026 – For decades, Alaskans have understood something that many in Washington, D.C. only recently rediscovered: Alaska is not just on the edge of America. Alaska is the front line of America.

With the proposed $7 billion Fighter Town recapitalization project at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, now in the president’s budget, the nation is finally on the verge of putting serious investment behind that reality.

This historic modernization effort would completely overhaul aging Air Force infrastructure at JBER, much of it dating back to the 1950s, and transform Anchorage into one of the most important fighter hubs in the United States military.

The scale of the project is almost hard to grasp. New maintenance hangars, operations centers, ammunition depots, upgraded training facilities, expanded support infrastructure, and housing for hundreds of personnel. It is designed to support current and future fighter platforms, including the F-22 and whatever else comes next in America’s air dominance strategy.

The Fighter Town project represents a full-scale recapitalization of one of America’s most strategic military installations.

Alaskans should know who has been fighting to make this happen: Sen. Dan Sullivan.

Sullivan has spent years warning Congress and military leaders that the Arctic is no longer a forgotten corner of the globe. Russia has aggressively expanded its Arctic military footprint.

Get this: China now openly calls itself a “near-Arctic nation” and is pushing deeper into the region economically and strategically. Meanwhile, Alaska sits at the crossroads of the Pacific and the Arctic, exactly where America needs strength, speed, and readiness.

Our US senator has from Day One consistently pushed for greater military investment in Alaska as critical to our national security.

And yes, the economic benefits are also enormous for Alaska.

The Fighter Town project is expected to create thousands of jobs during construction, with estimates around 4,000 jobs over the life of the project. Whether it’s paychecks for Alaska families or opportunities for local contractors, it represents economic activity flowing through Anchorage and Eagle River for years to come.

For local businesses, suppliers, tradesmen, engineers, truck drivers, construction crews, and service industries, this project could become one of the largest economic drivers our region has seen in decades.

Too often, federal dollars arrive in Alaska only to leave Alaska immediately through outside contracting firms. Sullivan has emphasized prioritizing Alaska contractors whenever possible so the money stays here instead of flowing Outside. This presents an opportunity to strengthen our local workforce and build long-term economic capacity right here at home.

But beyond the dollars and construction numbers, there is something else worth recognizing in this proposal: The people of Alaska, and especially our neighbors in Eagle River have long embraced our military community. We understand the sacrifices military families make. We understand the importance of readiness. We understand Alaska’s role in defending this nation.

JBER is woven into our community. Military families coach our kids’ sports teams, volunteer in our schools, attend our churches, and serve alongside us every day. Their presence strengthens Anchorage and Eagle River in countless ways.

Of course, the project is still part of the federal budget process and must receive congressional approval. The Air Force is seeking roughly $2 billion in initial FY2027 funding, with construction likely stretching into the mid-2030s.

We know nothing in Washington is ever guaranteed until the ink is dry. But this proposal represents a major step forward and a clear signal that America is finally taking Arctic defense seriously.

Sen. Sullivan deserves all the credit.

At a time when some politicians focus on symbolic politics and headlines, Sullivan has stayed focused on something tangible: Strengthening Alaska’s strategic role, improving military readiness, and bringing major investment home to our state.

The Fighter Town project recognizes Alaska’s rightful place at the center of America’s future security strategy.

That future is being built at JBER.

Rep. Jamie Allard, a US Army veteran, represents Eagle River in the Alaska House for District 23.