Sullivan Announces Expanded Marine Corps Presence in Alaska to Strengthen Arctic Readiness

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), chairman of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support, welcomed the United States Marine Corps' announcement of "Campaign-Alaska," a new strategic initiative that will expand the Marine Corps' presence and training operations in Alaska to strengthen America's Arctic readiness. The initiative includes two key efforts: Marine Rotational Force-Alaska, which will bring Marines to Alaska for persistent Arctic training and exercises, and Supporting Arms Liaison Team-Alaska, a permanent Marine Corps detachment at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. Together, these efforts will enhance the Marine Corps' ability to train, operate, and deter adversaries in the Arctic and improve coordination with joint and allied forces.

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"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," Senator 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. Marine Rotational Force-Alaska and the permanent establishment of a Supporting Arms Liaison Team at JBER mark the beginning of a broader Marine Corps campaign in Alaska-bringing elite, expeditionary Marines to America's Arctic, strengthening our joint force, and adding another powerful chapter to the historic military comeback happening across our state. As a Marine who served for 30 years, I could not be more excited to see the Marine Corps making this commitment to Alaska."

"In this era of strategic competition, Alaska is critical to homeland defense and a vital theater for global power projection in the Arctic," said Lt. Gen. Bobbi Shea, Commanding General, Marine Forces Northern Command. "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."

Background:

MARINE ROTATIONAL FORCE - ALASKA

MRF - Alaska is a task-organized Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) that conducts persistent, multi-domain expeditionary training and experimentation in Alaska. It is designed to provide a combat-ready force capable of operating in extreme cold weather, austere terrain, and limited-infrastructure conditions. Unit sizing and equipment is dependent upon operational requirements at the time of rotation.

Supporting Commands:

• Marine Corps Forces Northern Command (MARFORNORTH): Serves as the component command overseeing MRF - Alaska, monitoring, reporting, and coordinating all Marine Corps forces operating in the Alaska Theater of Operations.

• U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM): MRF - Alaska supports Homeland Defense operations under this command and integrated into USNORTHCOM exercises and operations.

• U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM): MRF - Alaska participates in exercises and strengthens interoperability in support of this command.

SUPPORTING ARMS LIAISON TEAM - ALASKA

SALT - Alaska is a permanent Marine Corps detachment established at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER). It provides a year-round, persistent liaison and Joint fires integration capability that supports rotational, Joint, and allied forces, ensuring continuity and enhancing the quality of training in the Arctic.

Supporting Commands:

• Marine Corps Forces Reserve (MARFORRES): Is the parent command for SALT - Alaska. MARFORRES is responsible for activating, manning, and sustaining the detachment.

• 6th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company (ANGLICO): SALT - Alaska is a permanent detachment of this Marine Corps Reserve unit.

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