Murkowski Highlights Alaska Wins in NDAA
Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) voted in favor of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2026, which passed the Senate by a bipartisan vote of 77-20. The bill now goes to the President’s desk for his signature.
The FY26 NDAA provides a 3.8 percent pay raise for military personnel, expands investment in military construction, supports state-of-the-art defense technologies, and strengthens America’s alliances abroad, all while delivering meaningful wins for Alaska’s defense infrastructure.
“As Russia and China continue to strengthen their positions in the Indo-Pacific, the geostrategic significance of Alaska continues to grow for the United States—and that reality is clearly reflected in this year’s National Defense Authorization Act,” said Senator Murkowski. “By investing in our servicemembers and modernizing our military capabilities, we are ensuring that Alaska is prepared to serve as the frontline of our western defense. Whether through Arctic operations, missile defense, or space launch capacity, I will continue advocating for the resources our troops need to keep Alaska and America safe.”
NDAA FY26 Highlights for Alaska
Investing in Alaska’s Military Infrastructure
The NDAA authorizes critical new military construction (MILCON) projects across Alaska that will strengthen readiness, enhance quality of life, and support ongoing missions in the Arctic and Indo-Pacific.
- Eielson Air Force Base: Base Civil Engineer Pavements and Grounds Facility; Coal Thaw Shed Addition; and Consolidated Munitions Complex.
- Fort Wainwright: New barracks and dining facility to improve quality of life for soldiers.
- Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER): Base Supply Complex; Joint Integrated Test and Training Center (JITTC); runway extension; and a maintenance facility.
- Eareckson Air Station: Prohibits the Department of Defense from shutting down the AN/FPS-108 COBRA DANE radar located on Shemya Island, a critical piece of military infrastructure. This language was spearheaded by Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK).
The NDAA also includes a Murkowski amendment expanding the Defense Community Infrastructure Program to allow demolition projects as eligible for assistance. This ensures that communities supporting nearby military installations can modernize obsolete structures.
Supporting Alaska’s Servicemembers and Their Families
Alaska’s servicemembers and their families sacrifice greatly to defend our nation, and Senator Murkowski has long prioritized ensuring they receive the support they need to carry out their missions and care for their loved ones. To that end, the legislation provides a 3.8 percent pay raise for military personnel.
The legislation also provides for:
- Flyback Program for Unaccompanied Members: Extends the travel allowance for unaccompanied servicemembers assigned to Alaska through December 31, 2027, allowing them to return home for leave. Senator Murkowski has long championed this important quality-of-life program, first introducing it through her Arctic Warrior Act in 2022. Senator Murkowski was able to secure funding for the program through appropriations. The entire Alaska delegation remains committed to exploring new initiatives to support servicemembers’ mental health.
- Improving Access to Training and Education: At Senator Murkowski’s request, the bill modifies payment requirements for the Department of Defense’s Regional Centers for Security Studies—including the Ted Stevens Center at JBER—to expand participation from allied nations and enhance joint training opportunities.
- Cold Weather Gear Modernization: Authorizes Senator Murkowski’s $11.2 million request for the Comprehensive Protective Cold Weather Layering System to ensure troops operating in extreme environments are properly equipped.
- Fire Suppression and Safety: Includes $5 million, requested by Senator Murkowski, for aerial fire suppression capabilities to bolster emergency response and protect installations across Alaska. These resources may also be used to combat wildfires statewide.
Expanding America’s Defense Capabilities
The FY26 NDAA invests in next-generation defense technologies and national security innovation while strengthening alliances to keep Americans safe at home and abroad.
- Adds nuclear fission and fusion energy to the list of “covered technologies” for defense innovation programs—an effort Senator Murkowski has long championed as part of her commitment to advanced clean energy deployment.
- Authorizes a comprehensive study on future U.S. space launch capacity, including infrastructure needs, long-term viability, and the potential for heavy and super-heavy launch operations—recognizing Alaska’s growing role in national space defense.
- Supports the Golden Dome missile defense program by requiring the Department of Defense to submit a plan to achieve the President’s goals for an Iron Dome for America, as outlined in Executive Order 14186. Senator Sullivan has been a key voice in this effort to make Alaska the cornerstone of our national missile defense system.
- Places restrictions on any attempted withdrawal of U.S. forces from Europe by requiring certifications to Congress at least 60 days before troop levels fall below 76,000 in U.S. European Command’s area of responsibility. The bill also prohibits divesting or returning any EUCOM-controlled facilities or relinquishing the role of NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander.
- Allows governors to leverage Active Guard and Reserve personnel for in-state disaster response while preserving military readiness for national-level crises.
Investing in our Coast Guard
With more than 47,000 miles of coastline—longer than the combined shorelines of the Lower 48—Alaska has a unique relationship with the United States Coast Guard. Senator Murkowski used this year’s Coast Guard Authorization Act (CGAA), included within the NDAA, to advance critical investments in the service.
The CGAA authorizes $11.8 billion in operations and maintenance funding for FY26 and $13.5 billion for FY27, and includes:
- Annual reporting requirements on the progress of Coast Guard cutter homeporting projects within the Coast Guard Arctic District, including Fast Response Cutters, Offshore Patrol Cutters, and the USCGC Storis in Juneau. Senator Sullivan was a key voice in ensuring the USCGC Storis was homeported in Juneau.
- Key improvements to the vessel of opportunity programs in Alaska to ensure continued oil spill response capacity in rural and remote areas. Senators Murkowski, Sullivan, and Congressman Nick Begich (R-AK) all worked on this critical issue for Alaska.
- Enhanced oversight through required reports detailing expenditure plans and project timelines for large acquisition and procurement programs.
- Reporting requirements on the acquisition status of Polar Security Cutters, including notification to Congress of any significant changes to scope or funding.
- Updates on renovated housing, food preparation, and maintenance facilities on St. Paul Island, as well as plans for a new hangar near the island’s airport.
- Reimbursement authorization for Coast Guard members stationed in Alaska to travel within the United States or its territories during their tour, along with required briefings to Congress on COLA calculations and special pay incentives by February 1, 2027. This has been championed by Senators Sullivan and Murkowski. Senator Murkowski was able to secure funding for the program through appropriations.
- Critical improvements to servicemember access to medical care through establishing the Coast Guard Embedded Behavioral Health Technician Pilot Program and enabling the service to hire five additional behavioral health specialists.
- Updates to modernize and improve the Merchant Mariner Credential system, the primary framework for qualifying and credentialing U.S. merchant mariners.
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