08.25.17

Sullivan Hosts Coast Guard Commandant in Alaska

ANCHORAGE, AK – Earlier this week, at the invitation of U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Admiral Paul Zukunft, Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), travelled to Nome, Shishmaref, Cold Bay, King Cove and concluded his tour with a visit to the USCG Cutter Healy, currently underway in the Bering Sea. During his visit, Admiral Zukunft and Senator Sullivan engaged with community leaders and discussed how the U.S. Coast Guard and federal government can best serve Alaska’s coastal communities.

“Admiral Zukunft and I have had numerous conversations about Alaska’s unique role in our nation’s security, as well as the challenges and economic opportunities our rural communities face as they see increased vessel traffic through the Bering Strait,” Senator Sullivan said. “We’ve also discussed the critical role Cold Bay plays as a medivac hub for surrounding communities, and the need for a more permanent Coast Guard presence in the area. We’ve also talked about the necessity of building the life-saving road from King Cove to Cold Bay. However, there is no substitute for being on the ground and hearing about these issues from members of the communities impacted. I thank the Admiral for making the trip and I thank the many gracious Alaskans who greeted us. We were both greatly moved by our warm welcome. I also thank the brave men and women of the Coast Guard who execute their mission to keep us safe in some of the most challenging environments on the planet. My goal as Chairman of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard is to continue to get more Coast Guard assets and presence to Alaska.”

In Nome, Senator Sullivan and Admiral Zukunft met with local leadership, including Nome Mayor Beneville, to discuss the impact of increasing activity in the Arctic.

In Shishmaref, Senator Sullivan and Admiral Zukunft participated in a community meeting, where they heard from leaders about the need for greater Coast Guard presence in the region during the summer months as well as their efforts to address coastal erosion.

During their visit to Cold Bay, Senator Sullivan and Admiral Zukunft met with Mayor Schaack and City Administrator Angela Simpson and discussed the critical role Cold Bay plays as a medivac hub for surrounding communities, as well the need for a more permanent Coast Guard presence, and the potential that the dock could provide to relieve congestion at Dutch Harbor and Kodiak ports.

While visiting King Cove, Admiral Zukunft and Senator Sullivan met with Mayor Henry Mack, where they discussed the need for a life-saving, single lane, 11-mile road that would connect the community of King Cove to an all-weather airport in Cold Bay. They also toured the school in King Cove, and met with students.

The last stop on their two-day trip through western Alaska was to the CGC Healy, a medium icebreaker currently underway in the Bering Sea. During their visit, Senator Sullivan and Admiral Zukunft met with the CGC Healy crew, and discussed their oil pollution response capabilities in the Arctic, as well as the need to recapitalize the heavy icebreaker fleet.

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