Coast Guard ships steaming in Alaska
The U.S. Coast Guard has the presence, experience, and relationships to helm Alaskan Command.
U.S. Coast Guard (Charly Hengen)

Let the Coast Guard Helm Alaskan Command's Maritime Component

By Lieutenant Commander Grant Bryan, U.S. Navy, and Colonel Mark Schmidt, U.S. Air Force
July 2019
Proceedings
Comments

“The homeland is no longer a sanctuary.” U.S. Northern Command (NorthCom) Commander General Terrence O’Shaughnessy’s remark resonates and are especially profound where the homeland is also an outpost—Alaska. Alaska is strategically located at the nation’s northern-most flank and offers unique challenges. Changes both to the national defense strategy and to the environment require that the United States reevaluate its Arctic strategy to ensure the homeland remains secure. 

Premium Member-Only Content

Don't miss out. Become a member of the Naval Institute today.

Join Today

Lieutenant Commander Grant Bryan, U.S. Navy

Lieutenant Commander Bryan is a surface warfare officer who recently served as the Maritime Plans and Future Operations lead at Alaskan Command. During his tour, he traveled extensively throughout the Arctic in support of homeland defense planning and training. Lieutenant Commander Bryan was commissioned from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2005.

More Stories From This Author View Biography

Colonel Mark Schmidt, U.S. Air Force

Colonel Schmidt is the Director for Operations, J3, Alaskan Command. He has 300 hours of combat flight time in the F-15E and more than 2,400 hours of military flying. He was commissioned in 1999 in Officer Training School.

More Stories From This Author View Biography

Quicklinks