DoD liaison and Alaska defense forum speakers urge adoption of education, licensure and infrastructure priorities
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Summary
Officials and organizers told the Joint Armed Services Committee that the Alaska Defense Forum convenes community, defense and business partners, and that DoD priorities for 2026 include supporting military children, occupational licensure compacts, and infrastructure grants (House Bill 256 referenced).
Speakers representing defense–community partnerships and DoD liaison offices urged Alaska lawmakers to advance policies that aid military families and support installation readiness.
Britney Smart, senior advisor for defense community and research at the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute and director of the Alaska Defense Forum, described the forum as an annual opportunity to bring "defense community and business partners to talk about some of those shared, challenges, priorities, and opportunities." She announced the 2026 Alaska Defense Forum dates (Aug. 24–26) and described tours, panels and Pentagon participation.
Tammy Perrault, the Northwest Region Defense State Liaison Officer, outlined DoD-aligned state policy priorities for 2026 including education-transition support for military children, strengthening the Purple Star program, and facilitating occupational licensure compacts to help military spouses transfer credentials. Perrault told the committee the office supports House Bill 256, which includes provisions for military child education and open-enrollment flexibility.
Smart and Perrault also noted Alaska’s success securing grants under the Defense Community Infrastructure Program (DCIP), saying Alaska received three of ten awards in the most recent cycle and currently has six active projects. Committee members thanked the presenters and said they expect to explore these policy areas in future work.
No formal committee votes were taken during the Feb. 11 hearing.