Anchorage named DOD's newest Strategic Seaport.

The port of Anchorage, Alaska, has been selected as the Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command's newest Strategic Seaport.

The port becomes one of 16 in the United States that are designated by the Department of Defense for use in moving surge military cargoes in time of crisis. Anchorage is the only port outside the continental United States.

Selection of the port was made following a joint assessment by the U.S. Maritime Administration, U.S. Army Alaska, and SDDC.

"The team evaluated a number of capabilities, including highway, water and rail access, cargo staging area and berthing capacity," said Carol Caldwell, of SDDC's Transportation Engineering Agency, Newport News, Va., who conducted the engineering analysis.

Units like the 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, at Fort Wainwright, and an Airborne Brigade Combat Team, at Fort Richardson, require the ability to deploy by sea, as do units that may train in Alaska, said Brig. Gen. Mark Scheid, SDDC's Deputy Commanding General/Director of Operations.

The port is embarking on a two-phase, major expansion plan, including a road and rail expansion that will improve cargo flow and loading facilities. In addition, the marine terminal will be redeveloped to increase vessel, dock and staging capacity.

The 15 other commercial ports that are designated as Strategic Seaports are located at: Oakland, Long Beach, Port Hueneme, and San Diego, Calif.; Corpus Christi and Beaumont, Texas; Wilmington and Morehead City, N.C.; Tacoma, Wash.; Jacksonville, Fla.; Savannah, Ga.; Charleston, S.C.; Philadelphia, Pa.; Hampton Roads area ports in Virginia; and the New York/New Jersey Port Complex.

Patti Bielling, Public Affairs Specialist SDDC Operations Center