Rising military activity by China and Russia near Alaskan waters is prompting U.S. officials to reconsider a Cold War-era defense strategy—reviving key installations across the Aleutian Islands.
At a Glance
- Chinese and Russian vessels were spotted near Alaska for the third straight year in 2024
- U.S. officials are pushing to reopen the Adak naval base and modernize Eareckson Air Station
- The Aleutians are critical to Arctic surveillance and missile defense
- Russia has tested hypersonic missiles while China expands its joint patrol footprint
- The U.S. is deploying forces like the “Arctic Angels” to bolster rapid response
Renewed Interest in the Aleutians
In October 2024, the U.S. Coast Guard tracked a fleet of Chinese and Russian naval vessels operating near Alaskan waters—a now annual event that has triggered growing alarm in Washington. This marks the third consecutive year of such joint patrols, sparking calls to reestablish Cold War-era defenses in the Bering region.
Defense officials are increasingly focused on the strategic value of the Aleutian chain. Admiral Samuel Paparo has called for reopening the long-shuttered Adak naval base and upgrading Eareckson Air Station on Shemya Island, citing the need for “time and distance” in intercepting potential threats. As American Military News reports, such moves are aimed at giving U.S. forces early-warning advantages across the Arctic perimeter.
Watch a report: U.S. considers Aleutian base revival amid Bering Sea tensions (YouTube).
Strategic Shield in the North
The Aleutians stretch deep into the Bering Sea, positioning U.S. forces just across from Russia’s eastern frontier and China’s expanding naval routes. Experts warn that each foreign patrol gathers intelligence that could be used to undermine U.S. regional defenses. “Every time a state vessel or aircraft enters the area, it’s collecting information,” noted Troy Bouffard, an Arctic security expert at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
Russia’s military expansion includes fielding Zircon hypersonic missiles in the Pacific Fleet, while China’s partnership with Moscow now includes joint bomber patrols. In response, the U.S. is investing in new Arctic capabilities. According to Defense Magazine, Major General Joseph Hilbert emphasized the U.S. capacity to “respond with swift and lethal force” from Shemya.
Rapid Deployment and Future Plans
To that end, the Army’s 11th Airborne Division—nicknamed the “Arctic Angels”—has been deployed to Shemya Island. Their presence, paired with advanced systems like the HIMARS rocket platform, signals a shift toward a hardened military posture in the Arctic.
The Pentagon is currently reviewing proposals to fund permanent infrastructure on Shemya and Adak. Officials including General Gregory Guillot of U.S. Northern Command argue that modernizing these sites would provide critical maritime and air access to defend the homeland and preserve freedom of navigation in the region.
With tensions mounting and foreign activity growing bolder, America’s frontier outposts may once again become pivotal strongholds in the defense of U.S. territory.
