By THE ALASKA STORY
May 10, 2026 – US Sen. Dan Sullivan announced that the United States Marine Corps will expand its footprint in Alaska through a new initiative aimed at strengthening America’s Arctic defense posture and cold-weather combat readiness.
The initiative, called “Campaign–Alaska,” will establish a more persistent Marine Corps presence in the state through two major efforts: a rotational Marine training force operating in Alaska and a permanent Marine detachment stationed at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage.
According to the announcement, the new Marine Rotational Force–Alaska, known as MRF-Alaska, will bring Marines to the state for expeditionary Arctic training and exercises designed to prepare troops for operations in extreme cold, remote terrain, and limited-infrastructure environments.
The second component, Supporting Arms Liaison Team–Alaska, or SALT-Alaska, will be permanently based at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. The detachment will provide year-round coordination and joint fires integration support for military operations and exercises involving American and allied forces in the Arctic.
Sullivan, who served for 30 years in the Marine Corps Reserve and retired as a colonel in 2024, called the move a major milestone in a years-long effort to expand the Marine Corps’ role in Alaska.
“For nearly a decade, I have been working to increase the United States Marine Corps’ presence in Alaska, and today’s announcement is a major milestone in that effort,” Sullivan said. “The Marine Corps recognizes what more and more of our military leaders understand: Alaska is one of the most strategic places in the world, and there is no better place for Marines to train, operate, and be ready to deploy.”
Sullivan said the initiative represents “the beginning of a broader Marine Corps campaign in Alaska,” adding that it strengthens the state’s growing role in national defense and Arctic operations.
Lt. Gen. Bobbi Shea said the Arctic is increasingly important in an era of strategic competition among world powers.
“In this era of strategic competition, Alaska is critical to homeland defense and a vital theater for global power projection in the Arctic,” Shea said. “The Marine Corps Campaign–Alaska is a deliberate and necessary step to ensure we provide the Joint Force with a combat-credible force to support the National Defense Strategy.”
The Marine Rotational Force–Alaska will operate under Marine Corps Forces Northern Command, while supporting missions tied to both U.S. Northern Command and U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. Officials said the force will participate in joint military exercises and interoperability training connected to homeland defense and Indo-Pacific operations.
Meanwhile, the permanent SALT-Alaska detachment at JBER will fall under Marine Corps Forces Reserve and operate as part of the 6th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, known as ANGLICO.
The announcement adds to a broader expansion of military focus on Alaska in recent years, as the Pentagon increasingly emphasizes Arctic security, missile defense, Indo-Pacific operations, and strategic competition with Russia and China. Alaska has already seen growing investment in missile defense systems, Air Force modernization, Arctic Security Cutters for the Coast Guard, and expanded military exercises across the state.
Sullivan, reflecting during his 2024 retirement ceremony from the Marine Corps, described the Corps as representing “the best of America,” emphasizing values of “honor, courage, commitment” and fidelity to fellow Marines.
His military career spanned from 1993 to 2024, with service assignments around the globe.
(Photo at top of page is file photo from Sullivan’s military retirement party.)
4 thoughts on “Sullivan touts expanded Marine Corps presence in Alaska as boost to Arctic readiness”
Good for you, Dan. I love the Marines.
Here’s a quick story: My husband and I were driving our brand new Chevrolet truck into the mountains in April. We got stuck in the snow. After about four hours of digging, we gave up and started our walk out, out of cell service. But then, along came a large SUV with 8 strapping Marines who were touring around Alaska from San Diego. They got out and pushed us from our stuck location. We welcome our Marine rescuers to Alaska.
EXCELLENT news. Next up, a Navy Base in AK.
Reopen Adak
Physically an expanding robust military presence on Alaska gives me confidence to have the military defense to protect us defenseless illiterate dummies up here. We’d look like sitting ducks to Russians, Koreans and Chinese without the US Military.