AML Municipal Matters

It was an honor to be at the Alaska Defense Forum, where UAF and other partners brought together an incredible array of speakers and attendees to strengthen the ties between our communities and the military that plays such a vital role in our state.

Alaska’s communities are on the frontlines of national defense. From the Arctic to the Pacific, from our ports and airports to our schools and hospitals, local governments are deeply interwoven with the mission of our armed forces. When the military succeeds here, it’s because Alaska’s communities stand shoulder to shoulder with them.

Local governments play an essential role in providing services to the military, and expanding those partnerships is critical both to our communities and to the readiness of the nation.

First, let me be clear: municipalities are not just vendors. They are enduring partners in the success of the military mission. Our cities, boroughs, and villages are the ones keeping the lights on, clearing the roads, staffing the fire departments, and training the workforce.

It’s easy to think of defense as aircraft, ships, or missile systems. But none of those function without the roads that connect them, the water and power that sustain them, and the communities that welcome and support the men and women in uniform. Local governments make all of that possible every day.

The range of services provided by local governments is broad and vital.

• Infrastructure: Municipalities maintain the roads that connect to bases, the ports that enable resupply, and the utilities that power operations. Here in Alaska, that often means working in some of the harshest conditions anywhere in the country. Without local governments maintaining those systems, readiness would falter.
• Public Safety: Our communities provide police, fire protection, and emergency medical services that extend to installations and military families. In rural Alaska, local governments are often the first responders when emergencies arise — whether that’s a wildfire threatening a training range, or a winter storm that cuts off access.
• Community Services: Military families depend on schools, libraries, recreation centers, and community programs. These are delivered by local governments, helping ensure quality of life and retention for those serving far from home.
• Specialized Services: Local governments provide waste management, environmental stewardship, housing development, and even workforce training. In some cases, they are best positioned to respond quickly and flexibly to needs on the ground.

A good example is the role of municipal ports and harbors. From Nome to Dutch Harbor to Juneau, our local governments manage critical maritime infrastructure that supports not just fishing fleets and ferries, but Coast Guard operations, Navy exercises, and Army logistics. These local assets are national assets.

Contracting with local governments has another benefit: it strengthens the Alaska economy. Federal dollars that flow through municipal contracts circulate locally, supporting jobs, businesses, and families.

In turn, this builds up our workforce. Skilled labor in construction, energy, transportation, and technology doesn’t appear overnight. It’s trained and developed in communities, often through partnerships that local governments facilitate. These workers serve local projects one day and defense projects the next — and their availability is critical for both.

Equally important is the opportunity contracting provides for smaller, rural, and Indigenous communities. By engaging local governments, the military helps spread economic benefits across the state, building capacity in areas that might otherwise be overlooked.

There are also real savings and efficiencies when the military contracts with local governments. Intergovernmental Support Agreements — IGSAs — are a great example. These agreements allow municipalities to provide services more cost-effectively than if the military tried to duplicate them.

We’ve seen it with shared fire protection, road maintenance, and facility services. Rather than standing up parallel systems, the military and local governments can share responsibility, cut costs, and improve service.

Local governments are nimble. They are accountable to their communities, but they can also move quickly to meet emerging needs. That responsiveness is a critical asset for military readiness.

We cannot forget that all of this takes place in the most strategically important state in the nation. Alaska is America’s Arctic. We are the forward operating base for the Indo-Pacific. We host missile defense systems, major joint training ranges, and critical Coast Guard presence.

But we are also unique: remote, high-cost, and high-challenge. No other state requires the level of resilience that Alaska does. And in that environment, local governments are the ones who ensure that basic systems and services continue to function — so that the military can focus on its mission.

Put simply: contracting with Alaska’s municipalities isn’t just efficient. It’s a matter of national security. It ensures that our installations, our personnel, and our strategic position are backed up by strong and resilient communities.

When local governments thrive, our military thrives. And when our military is strong, so too is the security of this nation.

Expanding contracts and agreements with municipalities is not just about supporting Alaska communities. It’s about strengthening readiness, saving costs, and ensuring resilience in the most strategically important place on the map.

I encourage all of us — military leaders, policymakers, and local officials — to deepen these partnerships. Build on the agreements that already exist. Explore new ways to share services. Look for opportunities in communities large and small across Alaska.

Because at the end of the day, this is about partnership. Alaska’s communities are proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with the men and women who serve. Together, we make defense stronger, more resilient, and more effective.