UAF Students and Faculty take part in Alaska Defense Forum

October 15, 2019

Maureen Biermann

Earlier this month, with support from the Center for Arctic Policy Studies, five students and two faculty members from the Department of Political Science attended the Alaska Defense Forum meeting. The meeting, held at the Westmark Hotel in Fairbanks on October 3 and 4 and sponsored by the Association of Defense Communities and the Fairbanks North Star Borough, focused on building strong military-community partnerships and rallying new defense community champions at the state and local level. Students attending the meeting were provided with a unique opportunity to learn about linkages between security, economics, military readiness, and Arctic change, and their role in shaping military-community relations.

A group of nine people wearing badges stand together in a conference meeting room.
Pictured from left: Dustin Elsberry (CAPS Research Assistant), Audrey Kirby (UAF Student), Dr. Chanda Meek (Political Science Department Chair), Bryce Ward (Fairbanks North Star Borough Mayor), Dr. Amy Lovecraft (CAPS Director and Political Science Faculty), Josh Church (UAF Student), Ryan Steele (UAF Student), Bryce Davis (UAF Student), Colonel Benjamin Bishop (Commander of the 354th Fighter Wing, Eielson Air Force Base).