ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - Senator Dan Sullivan, a Republican from Alaska, stated that due to the rise in Chinese and Russian activities observed in and around Alaska in recent years, the necessity for a stronger military presence in Alaska has never been more urgent.
Sullivan shared those views while hosting senior U.S. military officials as joint training operations persist across the state.
Along with Gen. Gregory M. Guillot, Adm. Christopher W. Grady, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and U.S. Navy Adm. Samuel Paparo, several other names were welcomed into the state this week.
We received a briefing from Adm. Paparo and the Northcom Commander, Gen. Guillot, who is currently in town; he is the combatant commander responsible for all of North America," Sullivan stated. "Adm. Paparo and Gen. Guillot collaborate very closely, but we got a briefing today from them that said, 'hey, these incursions will continue, and they are likely to increase.'
We have observed several Chinese so-called research vessels in the northern part of the Arctic throughout much of this summer. They are not merely conducting research, believe us. They are engaged in far more activities than that. We are keeping a close watch on them, and this monitoring will continue to grow.
We require greater capacity and additional infrastructure.
A graph from Sullivan's office indicates a rise in foreign intrusions since 2019, with the majority of Russian plane activity occurring in 2020.
It also outlines joint Russian-Chinese activities that have been identified, including the latest instance in October 2024.
The two annual training events taking place in Alaska are Northern Edge 2025 and Exercise Arctic Edge: a yearly homeland defense drill led by the U.S. Northern Command that highlights the U.S. military's ability to operate efficiently in cold climates across the Arctic area.
As per the U.S. Department of Defense, more than 6,400 personnel, 100 aircraft, and seven American and Canadian ships are involved in this year's Northern Edge 2025 exercise, taking place across various sites within and near the state.
Sullivan welcomed top U.S. officials at the American Legion Jack Henry Post 1 on Tuesday.
"General Guillot and I are here to ensure that we are fully and completely aligned so that the defense of Alaska, the defense of America, is as solid, strong, unbreakable, and secure as it can possibly be," Paparo stated.
Paparo serves as the head of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, which is overseeing this year's exercise.
For the first time in history, both exercises are being conducted at the same time, as stated by Paparo, aiming to demonstrate power during a period when the Indo-Pacific region is facing "increasingly complex threats."
It's crucial to train collectively across all domains, all services, and from key strategic locations to showcase our strength to potential adversaries," Paparo stated. "These are all the reasons why we merged Arctic Edge and Northern Edge, and it's the largest and most powerful exercise ever. We will have the responsibility to continue enhancing and improving it.
Joint exercises involve all branches of the U.S. military across various areas, such as cyber operations conducted by the Army.
Furthermore, the Royal Canadian Navy and Air Force will be completely incorporated into the mission sets of the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force. Canadian resources consist of the Airbus CC-150 Polaris tanker and the Halifax-class frigate HMCS Regina.
The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, which Sullivan mentioned he was on Tuesday, will take part in the exercise.
That, along with other components of Carrier Strike Group 3, such as Destroyer Squadron 21, the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS O’Kane, USS Michael Murphy, and USS Frank E. Petersen Jr., as well as the nine squadrons of fourth and fifth-generation aircraft from Carrier Air Wing 9.
I was on the aircraft carrier this morning. A group of Alaskans, including younger Alaskans, were flying F35s off the carrier," Sullivan stated. "If you're any American, you should feel immense pride in these young men and women who operate this carrier. They're all around 23 years old, managing this remarkable machine with 5,000 sailors and Marines aboard.
So, a great deal is happening in Alaska, and I'm truly honored to have Admiral Paparo here. He is genuinely one of the finest military leaders currently serving. One of the highest-ranking admirals in the United States Navy.
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