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Senators press DOD on fuel logistics, Red Hill repercussions and Arctic/Alaska basing options
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Summary
Committee members questioned DOD witnesses about fuel logistics in the Indo‑Pacific after the Red Hill closure, the strategic potential of Adak and other Alaska sites, and progress on microreactor demonstrations such as a planned 5‑megawatt microreactor at Eielson Air Force Base.
Senators told Defense officials that fuel storage and energy resilience are critical operational issues in the Indo‑Pacific and Arctic, especially after the Red Hill fuel facility closure in Hawaii. They asked how the Department of Defense is addressing fuel logistics, storage, and energy resiliency to support distributed operations.
"One of the areas I talked about during your confirmation process... the former base at Adak... has one of the largest and still operational fuel depots in the world," Chairman Sen. Dan Sullivan said. He asked whether combatant commanders were raising concerns about fuel supplies for contingencies in INDOPACOM. Assistant Secretary Melissa Marx said she was "tracking" comments from combatant commanders and had directed assessments of ADAK and other posture options.
Members also discussed Alaska energy projects that could bolster resilience. Senator Sullivan highlighted the Alaska LNG proposal as a potential long‑term source of reliable natural gas for bases and for allies in Asia. Marx said the department is "very interested" in how such projects could be integrated into installation planning.
The Air Force confirmed near‑term progress on microreactor testing. Mr. Saunders said the Department of the Air Force issued a notice of intent to award a power purchase agreement for a 5‑megawatt microreactor at Eielson Air Force Base and is targeting a finalized agreement in the 2027 timeframe: "We're on target to finalize that agreement in the 2027 timeframe," Saunders said.
Why it matters: Senators framed fuel storage, resilient energy sources and dispersed basing as central to wartime logistics in the Pacific and to homeland defense in the Arctic. They asked DOD to brief combatant commanders and provide follow-up assessments on ADAK, fuel storage posture and energy projects.
Officials committed to further briefings and to working with the committee on integration and contingency planning. No formal actions were taken at the hearing.
