The U.S. Navy is poised to reawaken a dormant World War II-era base on Adak Island, Alaska, as Russia and China expand their Arctic presence, but environmental challenges from past military operations remain a significant hurdle.
At a Glance
- The Navy is considering three redevelopment options for Adak Naval Base, ranging from basic upgrades to a full naval facility
- Located halfway between Alaska and Russia, Adak is strategically positioned as “the gateway to the Arctic” to counter growing Russian and Chinese activity
- Despite being defunct, the base retains functional runways, piers, and fuel storage infrastructure
- Environmental contamination from past military use poses challenges to redevelopment efforts
- Alaska Senator Dan Sullivan and top military commanders strongly support reopening the strategic outpost
Strategic Arctic Positioning
The U.S. Navy’s exploration of reviving the Adak Island base comes amid increasing military competition in the Arctic region. Alaska Republican Senator Dan Sullivan announced on April 14 that reopening the base, closed for nearly 30 years, is under serious consideration as part of America’s broader Arctic strategy. The island’s location in the Aleutian chain positions it perfectly to monitor and respond to Russian Pacific Fleet movements and track activities in newly accessible shipping lanes created by melting polar ice caps.
Admiral Samuel Paparo, Commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, emphasized the strategic advantage of the location, stating it provides “an opportunity to gain time and distance on any force capability that’s looking to penetrate.” The Navy’s interest in Adak aligns with the military’s broader pivot to the Pacific, where several World War II facilities are being reactivated to strengthen America’s defensive posture against growing threats from adversaries seeking to expand their influence in the region.
Infrastructure Advantages and Planning
Despite decades of abandonment, Adak’s military infrastructure remains surprisingly intact and usable. The island retains functional runways capable of accommodating military aircraft, extensive pier facilities for naval vessels, and significant fuel storage capacity. These existing assets make the base particularly attractive for rapid reactivation, potentially saving billions in construction costs compared to building new facilities from scratch in the harsh Arctic environment.
“A base at Adak’s incredibly strategic location would provide ten times the maritime patrol and reconnaissance coverage that we currently have in the North Pacific,” Sullivan said. “The Navy is crafting three different options for redevelopment of Adak – low, medium, and high – spanning the gamut from basic infrastructure upgrades to a full-blown naval base.”
The military has already committed to using Adak for Northern Edge, a joint military training exercise scheduled for this summer. This initial deployment will provide valuable insights into the base’s current capabilities and help identify priority areas for improvement. Cost estimates for the different redevelopment scenarios are currently being compiled and are expected to be released within weeks.
Environmental Challenges and Ownership Complexities
Revitalizing Adak presents significant environmental challenges stemming from its military history. The site requires ongoing cleanup efforts to address contamination from past operations, and portions of the island remain restricted due to unexploded ordnance. Any redevelopment plan must incorporate comprehensive environmental remediation to ensure the safety of military personnel and protect the surrounding ecosystem from further damage.
“would allow us to preposition search and rescue aircraft or be able to land there in an emergency which are capabilities that we just don’t have right now” Guillot said.
Land ownership adds another layer of complexity to the reactivation efforts. When the military vacated Adak, portions of the island were transferred to the Aleut Corporation as part of a federal land agreement. Now, the corporation is working collaboratively with the Navy and Senator Sullivan on potential redevelopment plans. Current agreements require the Navy to relinquish the property to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service if military purposes cease, creating a regulatory framework that must be navigated carefully during the revival process.
Foreign Interest and Funding Priorities
Senator Sullivan has raised concerns about potential Chinese interest in acquiring access to the strategic Adak facilities. During congressional testimony, Sullivan revealed: “I have it on good authority that the Chinese shipping companies have come out to the owners of Adak, maybe once a year, saying, ‘hey, we’d be interested in that base.'” This foreign interest has heightened the urgency of reestablishing an American military presence on the island to prevent adversaries from gaining a foothold in this critical location.
Sullivan is actively pursuing funding for the base through multiple legislative channels, including the budget reconciliation bill and the National Defense Authorization Act amendment process. With strong endorsements from Admiral Paparo and U.S. Northern Command General Gregory Guillot, the Adak reactivation project has gained significant momentum among military leadership. A detailed site assessment report is expected soon, which will determine the project’s final cost and scope before funding appropriations can be finalized.
