Plane door open, Homeland Security Secretary dangles outside, talks Arctic security

KODIAK, Alaska (KTUU) - When the back of the HC-130J Super Hercules opened, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin spread his arms, leaned forward and took in the view. A safety rope held tight as mountains and water spread out before him.

He flashed his team a thumbs-up.

Pulling out all the whiz-bang flash Alaska has to offer, the U.S. Coast Guard and Sen. Dan Sullivan toured Mullin around the island, pointing out where new icebreaker cutters will be docked in Kodiak and showing off how homes will be improved on the base. The tour also included a mock water rescue that included a guard member dangling over a moving speeding across Woman’s Bay.

“This is what I’m referring to as an icebreaker tour,” Sullivan said. “We’ve never had an icebreaker in the state with the ice ... well now that’s changing.

“I said this the most important Coast Guard base in America and (Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard Admiral Kevin Lunday) said ‘and it’s going to be more important,’” Sullivan said. “And that’s a fact with two new off cutters right there and two icebreakers that are going to go right there,” he said while pointing to where the ships will be docked.

According to the guard, altogether the money will allow the Coast Guard to buy an estimated 17 new icebreakers, 21 new cutters, more than 40 helicopters and six C-130J aircraft, and is also expected to modernize shore infrastructure and maritime surveillance systems across the country.

Along with the money for icebreakers, there is also money to improve housing, look for job opportunities for spouses and updates for childcare.

“This is the biggest investment, in that $25 billion, the biggest investment is happening right here in Alaska,” Mullin said.

But, with new money and new gear, the guard will also need more people to run everything.

“If they’re going to live in Kodiak and build up the force, as Sec. Mullin mentioned, we want to make sure they have great facilities for families,” Sullivan said.

“We have to have the personnel to support it and if it’s not all us working together, it’s not possible,” Mullin said flanked by Sullivan and Lunday. “So it’s not about today, it’s about the future, and as I like to look at it, it’s the decade following.”

The entourage loaded in and out of a fast moving convoy and stopped to tour the new ADA complaint military housing and then boated around Women’s Bay before heading home. Mullin was the first of his team to lean out of the plane to take in the vast views from Kodiak to Anchorage.