WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), asked Lieutenant General Stephen N. Whiting – nominee to be Commander of the United States Space Command – and Lieutenant General Gregory M. Guillot of the United States Air Force – nominee to be Commander of United States Northern Command – about the military’s need to deter Russian and Chinese aggression in the Arctic and in space. King pressed both generals to ensure the country is keeping up with growing challenges in the rapidly evolving areas of competition, in an effort to avoid conflict.

In a conversation with Lt. General Whiting, Senator King asked about the need to counter Chinese and Russian aggression in space.

“General Whiting, it's been US. Policy for as long as anybody can remember to not militarize space. But that train has left the station, has it not? Haven't the Chinese, and to a lesser extent the Russians, developed the capacity for offensive weapons in space?” King asked.

Whiting responded, “Senator, they absolutely have.”

“And, therefore, we need to be in a position to respond because the cornerstone of our entire defense national security policy is deterrence. And if they have an asymmetric advantage that we can't hold them at risk, doesn't that undermine our policy of deterrence?” King asked in response.

Whiting replied, “Senator, it does.”

King countered, “And so we're going to have to put aside the laudable policy because of a change of circumstances. Is that correct?

“Yes, Senator. I think the creation of United States Space Command just under four years ago and then by the action of the Congress, the creation of the United States Space Force just under four years ago, recognizes that new reality,” Whiting concluded.

Senator King then followed up with Lt. General Guillot about the critical importance of deterrence in the Arctic region, specifically by completing the Port of Nome.

“Now, let me go change the subject again to get back to the Arctic. One of the realities—again, it's like my questions about space—it's no secret that the Russians have essentially remilitarized the share of the Arctic, which really was a much more peaceful area prior to the last ten years. Don't we need some capacity, infrastructure in the Arctic, a port, for example, to be able to field the kind of force that's necessary, again, for deterrence? This is not about offensive capability, but the best way to prevent a war is for your adversary to know that they will suffer unacceptable results if they attack us. Talk to me about infrastructure in the Arctic. For example, a port in Nome,” King said as he began his questioning with Guillot.

Guillot replied, “Senator, presence is the best form of deterrence in the Arctic. The Port of Nome is a game changer for operations in the Arctic. I understand that it's underway and we're looking at 2027, 2028 for completion of that. But just that port alone will add 4 to 8 days per operational sorority of our ships, where they don't have to go down to Dutch Harbor to refuel. They can stay up in the high north. So that infrastructure and then the recurring presence of forces training and operating in the high north in Alaska, I think is a very strong deterrent to our adversaries up there.”

A member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, and Co-Chair of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission, Senator King is recognized as an authoritative voice on national security and foreign policy issues in the space realm. He recently pressed the Commander of United States Space Command on the threat of GPS systems being targeted in a conflict and called for investments in capabilities that will deter and confront Russian and Chinese aggression in growing areas of space competition.

Additionally, as a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and as Co-Chair of the U.S. Senate Arctic Caucus, Senator King is an advocate for Maine and America’s interests in the North Atlantic and Arctic region. Along with Caucus co-chair Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), King introduced the Arctic Commitment Act earlier last year to improve America’s posture and opportunities in the Arctic. He’s been calling for the appointment of an Arctic Ambassador since 2015, and has continued to press the Administration on the effort this year. King also recently laid out the challenges and opportunities of a warming arctic in an article in the Wilson Quarterly, and in this year’s National Defense Authorization Act, he successfully secured the inclusion of provisions to increase America’s activity and opportunities in the Far North.

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