ALCOM/CC bids farewell to Last Frontier

  • Published
  • By Lt. Gen. Douglas Fraser
  • Alaskan Command commander
ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  As I finish my tour as the Commander of Alaskan Command, Joint Task Force - Alaska, Alaska North American Aerospace Defense Command Region, and 11th Air Force, I want to thank you, the Arctic Warriors -- Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen, and Coast Guardsmen -- for the privilege of serving with you in the Great Land. 

Alaska remains a strategic location critical to the security of North America and the U.S. The strategic value of Alaska will grow in the future and this growth will remain all of our challenge - preparing for this future as the Arctic gains international importance. You, our Arctic Warriors - active, Guard, Reserve, and civilian -- understand this intuitively. 

While we prepare for this future, we must also continue to be ready to support our combatant commanders worldwide. We will continue to deploy globally in support of the War on Terror and train ourselves and our global partners here in Alaska to be ready for global deployment and employment. We defend our borders, we stay prepared to support local, state and federal organizations as they respond to natural or manmade disasters, we build joint bases and joint training capability, and do all this while meeting the daily challenges of transforming the look of military forces in Alaska with new units, new force structure, and new capability. I am extremely proud of what we have accomplished together this past couple of years. 

Rena and I are also proud of our Arctic Warrior families. We ask them to support us and our nation through long hours, days, and months of duty securing our nation and defending our borders. Their contribution and service to our nation's defense equals that of each of us who wear the uniform of our nation. We are blessed as members of the armed force to have such selfless partners. 

Finally, we are blessed with community support unlike that found anywhere in the United States. As part of our defense team, Alaskans sacrifice with us, anticipate our needs, welcome us openly into their communities, and let us know that what we do matters. We are very fortunate to have such unselfish wingmen. 

Arctic Warriors, Rena and I salute you. You have met and will meet every challenge sent your way and excelled. Rena, Hannah, and I will always cherish our time with you "On Top of the World."