Air Force undersecretary outlines modernization push in Alaska

Under Secretary of the Air Force Matt Lohmeier spent June 22–24 touring Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson and Eielson Air Force Base to identify construction and modernization priorities across Alaska’s Arctic installations as the service readies a fiscal year 2027 push for nearly $11 billion in projects.

The trip paired facility walk-throughs with mission briefings from active duty, Guard and Reserve units, and was framed as an effort to strengthen homeland defense and sustain power projection across the Indo-Pacific and beyond. At JBER, Lohmeier reviewed a $404 million runway expansion designed to handle any airframe and boost sortie capacity.

“The Air Force is planning to bring in about $7 to $8 billion worth of investment into Alaska during the next five or so years,” said Col. Lisa Mabbutt, 673rd Air Base Wing and JBER commander. “We will be working very hard to recapitalize infrastructure here on the airfield to ensure that our mission facilities are ready to deter and defeat in the Pacific and in homeland defense.”

A central stop on the itinerary was the Alaska Industry Summit, where Lohmeier delivered remarks and met with state and local officials, industry representatives and community partners to align military construction priorities with local capacity. Discussions focused on procurement timelines, permitting and workforce, as well as the off-base services needed to support an expected influx of about 2,000 additional joint service members and their families.

“Our mission readiness doesn’t stop at the front gate; it is directly enabled by the strength and support of our Alaskan communities,” Mabbutt said. “By aligning our infrastructure goals with local economic plans, we ensure that every dollar spent on enhancing our combat capability also creates opportunities for Alaska-based businesses and strengthens the resilience of the entire region.”

Service officials characterized the pending investments as both a recapitalization of aging infrastructure and a broader effort to knit together operational needs in Alaska with longer-term strategic aims. They said the visit linked Washington’s priorities with unit-level realities on the ground.

“Alaska remains the cornerstone of our nation’s defense in the Arctic and the Pacific,” said Lt. Gen. Robert Davis, Alaskan NORAD Region, Alaskan Command and Eleventh Air Force commander. “The investments being discussed throughout the Under Secretary’s visit are about ensuring our Airmen, Guardians, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines have infrastructure, training and partnerships necessary to generate combat power, defend the homeland and respond to challenges wherever they emerge.”