News
December 24, 2024

National Defense Bill to Allocate $723M for Alaska Military Projects

Caroline Raffetto

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – The 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) includes significant funding for military infrastructure across Alaska, alongside support for military families.

Senators Dan Sullivan and Lisa Murkowski, both Republicans, backed the bill in the Senate, while Rep. Mary Peltola, a Democrat, supported it in the House.

Sullivan, who is a member of the Armed Forces Committee, highlighted that the bill authorizes $723.3 million in construction projects for Alaska’s military bases, mostly at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, as part of a broader $895 billion military funding package.

“I worked hard to ensure this legislation also continues the significant military build-up taking place in Alaska, the most strategic place in the world. I was able to secure more than $723 million in military construction projects for our state, which is more great news for Alaska, our economy and our workers — but also for our national security,” Sullivan said.

Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER) Projects

The Air Force selected JBER to host the Joint Integrated Test and Training Center, a facility for joint and multinational force training, blending synthetic and live-fly exercises. A $126 million allocation was approved for this initiative.

Other approved projects for JBER include a $55 million Fuels Facility, $16 million for a Conventional Munitions Complex to replace outdated munitions storage, and $19.3 million for a Combat Rescue Helicopter Simulator.

Additionally, $120 million was allocated for family housing at JBER to improve maintenance and renovations of facilities.

Fort Wainwright and Eielson Air Force Base Projects

Fort Wainwright will receive $23 million for an Automated Multipurpose Machine Gun Range.

At Eielson Air Force Base, $14 million has been approved for a new Fuel Operations & Lab Facility. Murkowski emphasized that this facility will enhance the airmen's ability to provide fuel for aircraft operations and serve as a crucial air bridge to the Pacific and Arctic regions.

Fort Richardson National Guard Project

A $67 million National Guard Readiness Center will be constructed at Fort Richardson to boost training and operational capabilities for the Alaska Army National Guard. Additionally, Murkowski announced the Alaska Air National Guard’s exemption from a national initiative that could have cut approximately 80 Active Guard Reserve positions in the state, crucial for its integrated operations with active-duty forces.

Sullivan and Murkowski also succeeded in adding a provision to the NDAA for 649 new Active Guard Reserve Authorizations nationwide.

Support for Military Families and Service Members

The bill includes a 14.5% pay increase for junior enlisted service members and a 4.5% pay raise for all other service members. The Basic Needs Allowance was also increased, which supports military families earning up to 200% of the poverty level based on household size, income, and location.

Other family-oriented provisions include the creation of the Defense Intrepid Network for Traumatic Brain Injury and Brain Health, the allowance for shipping and storing up to two privately owned vehicles during a permanent change of station, and initiatives to improve military spouse employment opportunities, including easing the transfer of professional licenses.

Furthermore, the NDAA ensures full funding for childcare programs and eliminates waiting lists for fee assistance. It also focuses on improving childcare staff salaries to remain competitive with the private sector.

The bill also addresses reproductive health, eliminating copays for contraceptives and setting up a demonstration program for cryopreservation and storage of sperm and eggs, offering reimbursements of up to $500 for sperm preservation and $10,000 for egg preservation.

“This legislation further aids our mission abroad by expanding our critical defense initiatives, while at the same time increases investments to protect our borders at home. I’m grateful to my colleague Dan Sullivan for his hard work on this bill at the committee level and am proud to support this legislation for Alaska,” Murkowski stated in a press release.
News
December 24, 2024

National Defense Bill to Allocate $723M for Alaska Military Projects

Caroline Raffetto
New Project
Alaska

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – The 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) includes significant funding for military infrastructure across Alaska, alongside support for military families.

Senators Dan Sullivan and Lisa Murkowski, both Republicans, backed the bill in the Senate, while Rep. Mary Peltola, a Democrat, supported it in the House.

Sullivan, who is a member of the Armed Forces Committee, highlighted that the bill authorizes $723.3 million in construction projects for Alaska’s military bases, mostly at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, as part of a broader $895 billion military funding package.

“I worked hard to ensure this legislation also continues the significant military build-up taking place in Alaska, the most strategic place in the world. I was able to secure more than $723 million in military construction projects for our state, which is more great news for Alaska, our economy and our workers — but also for our national security,” Sullivan said.

Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER) Projects

The Air Force selected JBER to host the Joint Integrated Test and Training Center, a facility for joint and multinational force training, blending synthetic and live-fly exercises. A $126 million allocation was approved for this initiative.

Other approved projects for JBER include a $55 million Fuels Facility, $16 million for a Conventional Munitions Complex to replace outdated munitions storage, and $19.3 million for a Combat Rescue Helicopter Simulator.

Additionally, $120 million was allocated for family housing at JBER to improve maintenance and renovations of facilities.

Fort Wainwright and Eielson Air Force Base Projects

Fort Wainwright will receive $23 million for an Automated Multipurpose Machine Gun Range.

At Eielson Air Force Base, $14 million has been approved for a new Fuel Operations & Lab Facility. Murkowski emphasized that this facility will enhance the airmen's ability to provide fuel for aircraft operations and serve as a crucial air bridge to the Pacific and Arctic regions.

Fort Richardson National Guard Project

A $67 million National Guard Readiness Center will be constructed at Fort Richardson to boost training and operational capabilities for the Alaska Army National Guard. Additionally, Murkowski announced the Alaska Air National Guard’s exemption from a national initiative that could have cut approximately 80 Active Guard Reserve positions in the state, crucial for its integrated operations with active-duty forces.

Sullivan and Murkowski also succeeded in adding a provision to the NDAA for 649 new Active Guard Reserve Authorizations nationwide.

Support for Military Families and Service Members

The bill includes a 14.5% pay increase for junior enlisted service members and a 4.5% pay raise for all other service members. The Basic Needs Allowance was also increased, which supports military families earning up to 200% of the poverty level based on household size, income, and location.

Other family-oriented provisions include the creation of the Defense Intrepid Network for Traumatic Brain Injury and Brain Health, the allowance for shipping and storing up to two privately owned vehicles during a permanent change of station, and initiatives to improve military spouse employment opportunities, including easing the transfer of professional licenses.

Furthermore, the NDAA ensures full funding for childcare programs and eliminates waiting lists for fee assistance. It also focuses on improving childcare staff salaries to remain competitive with the private sector.

The bill also addresses reproductive health, eliminating copays for contraceptives and setting up a demonstration program for cryopreservation and storage of sperm and eggs, offering reimbursements of up to $500 for sperm preservation and $10,000 for egg preservation.

“This legislation further aids our mission abroad by expanding our critical defense initiatives, while at the same time increases investments to protect our borders at home. I’m grateful to my colleague Dan Sullivan for his hard work on this bill at the committee level and am proud to support this legislation for Alaska,” Murkowski stated in a press release.