The US Army Corps of Engineers – District of Alaska transferred a National Guard armory to the community of Scammon Bay on December 21, 2022. This real estate transaction marks the first divestment of military property within the state under the Bob Stump Act. Eight more installations are scheduled for billing in the next few years. (Photo courtesy of the US Army)
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JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – District of Alaska transferred ownership of an Army National Guard armory to the community of Scammon Bay on December 21, 2022. This Real estate transaction marks the first in-state sale of military property under the Bob Stump Act. Eight more installations are scheduled for billing in the next few years.
“This program allows us to partner with the National Guard and Native Americans to repurpose buildings and support the infrastructure needs of rural communities,” said Col. Damon Delarosa, district commander.
The National Guard maintains gun shops in remote villages across the state that were built during the Cold War due to Alaska’s proximity to Russia.
“Many of the facilities are no longer in use, so the sale program allows them to be used for additional housing and community services in the villages where they reside,” said Gary Hanson, head of the Real Estate Division.
In rural Alaska, available buildings are scarce and new construction is expensive. By getting rid of Army property, Scammon Bay will be able to make use of an existing facility instead of having to bear the cost of new development.
“This program really is a Phoenix,” said Kevin Vakalis, Alaska Army National Guard real estate officer. “These deeply entrenched military installations, once lost in the ashes of the Cold War, are now reborn in an ongoing public service to support their communities.”
The Bob Stump National Defense Authorization Act gives USACE the authority to directly sell excess National Guard property in Alaska wildlife refuges. The district is using this authority to transfer excess property to local communities across the state.
Scammon Bay is home to a population of over 500 people. It is located within the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge near the Bering Sea in southwestern Alaska.
For more information on the program, visit: https://www.poa.usace.army.mil/Media/News-Stories/Article/3001547/national-guard-armories-find-new-purpose-on-last- frontier /
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