Interior Alaska News

U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan of Alaska, a retired Colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve and a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, voted to confirm Pete Hegseth as the Secretary of Defense. Sullivan, who also chairs the SASC Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support, met with Hegseth prior to the vote and received commitments from him regarding military policies in Alaska.

Hegseth's career includes service in the U.S. Army with deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. He has been awarded two Bronze Stars and two Army Commendation Medals for his service.

Senator Sullivan expressed confidence in Hegseth's ability to refocus military efforts: “After a number of substantive discussions with Pete Hegseth, including during his confirmation hearing, I am confident Mr. Hegseth will work to refocus our military on lethality, warfighting and peace through strength, as well as getting rid of the damaging woke policies of the Biden administration, some of which I witnessed firsthand as a Marine Corps Reserve Officer,” said Sen. Sullivan.

Sullivan emphasized that these priorities align with those he has championed within the Senate Armed Services Committee: “These have been my top priorities as a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and they will be Mr. Hegseth’s.”

He also noted Hegseth's understanding of women's roles in combat and Alaska's strategic importance: “Mr. Hegseth also assured me that he understands the important role that women play in our military, including in combat, as well as the strategic importance of Alaska."

Additionally, Sullivan highlighted commitments made by both President Trump and Hegseth towards strengthening military presence in Alaska: "Along with President Trump, he is also committed to continuing the military build-up in our great state."

Senator Sullivan concluded by congratulating Hegseth on his confirmation: “I want to congratulate the incoming secretary of defense on his confirmation and look forward to welcoming him up to Alaska soon to see firsthand the critical strategic asset our state is to our national security.”