U.S. Marine Corps boosts Arctic readiness with Alaska campaign

The U.S. Marine Corps has launched Campaign – Alaska, a new Arctic-focused effort that pairs a rotational training presence with a permanent liaison detachment to strengthen operations in the High North amid intensifying global competition.

“The Arctic is a region of growing strategic importance. The Marine Corps must be prepared to operate and win in its extreme conditions. MRF – Alaska and SALT – Alaska are critical to ensuring our Marines are forward postured, trained and equipped to project power globally, reaffirming our commitment as the Nation’s expeditionary force in readiness,” said Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Eric Smith.

Under Marine Forces Northern Command, Marine Rotational Force – Alaska will run sustained, multi-domain expeditionary training and experimentation across the state. Participation in major Joint exercises such as Arctic Edge and Red Flag is intended to harden units for cold-weather operations, strengthen homeland defense, deepen integration with U.S. and allied forces, and reinforce deterrence in the region.

“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 of 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.”

Complementing the rotational force, Marine Corps Forces Reserve is standing up Supporting Arms Liaison Team – Alaska, a permanent detachment of the 6th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. Building on a reserve presence in the state dating to 1985, the detachment will expand training and operational activity while improving coordination with Joint partners, allies, and local communities. By fiscal 2027, SALT – Alaska is slated to provide a continuous Marine Corps footprint and enable rapid force expansion if required.

The Corps said the approach aligns with the 2026 National Defense Strategy’s emphasis on critical terrain across the Western Hemisphere—from the Arctic to South America—as essential to homeland defense and strategic competition. By coupling enduring liaison capacity with recurring, cold-weather training, the service aims to cement a more resilient Arctic posture capable of projecting power, defending U.S. territory, and deterring rivals in one of the world’s harshest environments.

“Alaska will only grow in strategic importance. The Marine Corps is committed to ensuring we are prepared to operate in the High North,” Shea said.