As the sixth and newest branch of our nation’s military sets out to master the final frontier, it is my belief that Alaska, the Last Frontier, is the clear choice to base this historic mission. Alongside Anchorage Mayor Ethan Berkowitz, I have submitted a joint request to station U.S. Space Command here in our nation’s 49th state.
In 1935, Gen. Billy Mitchell, father of the U.S. Air Force, called Alaska the “most important strategic place in the world.” From World War II, in which Alaska was the only place in North America to be invaded, to the depths of the Cold War, where Arctic radar outposts protected against Soviet missile launches, the truth of Mitchell’s claim has been well established.
Anchorage, home to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, is perfectly positioned to carry on this legacy. In addition, our state-of-the-art Pacific Spaceport Complex provides military launch capabilities just a short distance from Anchorage. The facility, run by the publicly owned Alaska Aerospace Corporation, has conducted successful space launches since 1998 and is quickly expanding to accommodate the current commercial space boom.
But Mitchell’s assertion extended beyond the realm of national security. Today, Anchorage serves as North America’s gateway to Asia-Pacific trade. Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, which briefly held the title of “world’s busiest” airport earlier this year, lies within nine hours of 90% of the industrialized world. With a deep-water port that continues to grow in significance as Bering Sea ice recedes, the commercial importance of Anchorage will only increase in the years ahead.
Even more exciting is the impending construction of the Alaska to Alberta Railway. With private funding already available, a signature from President Trump is all we need to set in motion a transformative project that will connect Alaska to the lower 48 by rail. The A2A Railway will give industries, including the Space Force, an additional option for moving heavy materials to and from Alaska.
Our telecommunications and data infrastructure has also grown by leaps and bounds since the days of Mitchell’s transcontinental telegraph. As tech companies who’ve moved “north to the future” can attest, Alaska’s cities offer first-class data uplinks. With both an undersea and new terrestrial broadband connection, we possess the infrastructure necessary for the Space Force to carry out its high-stakes intelligence mission.
Perhaps most importantly, Alaska offers prospective space guardians an unmatched quality of life. Weekends offer plentiful choices that range from heading south to enjoy the legendary beauty of the Kenai Peninsula, venturing north into the shadow of Denali, or simply staying home and catching a salmon in downtown Anchorage. With mild summers marked by 70-degree days and clear winters perfect for skiing and snow-machining, it’s impossible to match the recreational opportunities Anchorage offers anywhere else in the lower 48.
Anchorage also has a secret you won’t uncover in many livability tools on the internet. We are home to several of the most diverse neighborhoods in America, and with that diversity comes a wide range of lifestyles and political opinions. Even better, you’re unlikely to come across the political vitriol that has infected many other American cities.
Instead, you’ll discover Anchorageites and Alaskans working together to solve problems. Whether it be an important social issue necessitating peaceful civic engagement or simply offering a ride to a stranded motorist, the remoteness of our state means Alaskans come together to get the job done.
I believe this Alaskan spirit will complement the Space Force’s unique mission as it advances our nation’s interests in the far reaches of space. After all, we’re no strangers to overcoming challenges through innovation. Whether it be our legendary response to the second-largest earthquake ever recorded, the construction of a safe pipeline through 800 miles of Alaska wilderness, or leading our nation’s coronavirus response with a first-in-the-nation testing program at Anchorage’s airport, Alaskans and insurmountable challenges go hand in hand.
Anything is possible in the Last Frontier.
For all these reasons and more, I believe Anchorage would be a prime location to host our nation’s Space Command. I thank the Trump administration for its willingness to consider nontraditional locations and look forward to participating in the selection process.
Mike Dunleavy, a Republican, is the 12th governor of Alaska.
