The City of Adak is seeking assistance from the Department of Defense’s Innovation Readiness Training program to remove sunken vessels and rehabilitate infrastructure.
IRT is a Department of War program that provides hands-on military training while building partnerships with American communities. A pre-deployment site survey team visited Adak, the nation’s westernmost city, from Feb. 28 to March 4, meeting with residents at a community center to assess the city’s needs and outline how the program works.
The city of Adak’s request includes the raising and removal of two tugs in Sweeper Cove – the M/V Mecosta and M/V Redwing. City officials say the program could also address broader infrastructure rehabilitation and upgrades.
Mayor Terri Douglas called the multi-day visit productive, saying the team focused on a needs assessment and that the city expects to receive project plans. Douglas cautioned, however, that assistance has not been approved, and a timeline has not been set.
IRT officials did not respond to a request for comment before publication.
Adak served as a U.S. Navy base through World War II before closing in 1997. Alaska Republican U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan has pushed to reestablish a military presence on the island in response to increased Russian and Chinese military activity in Alaska’s airspace and waters.
