US Air Force Weighing Up Alaskan AI Data Centre Projects

The US Department of the Air Force (DAF) is advancing plans to support the development of advanced AI data centres across three of its installations in Alaska, signalling a significant move to align federal land use with rising infrastructure demands from the AI sector.

At the core of the initiative is the DAF's offer of around 4,700 acres of underutilised land across Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Eielson Air Force Base and Clear Space Force Station.

Through their Request for Lease Proposal (RFLP), the DAF is inviting private sector partners to build and operate one or more large-scale AI-focused data centre facilities on these sites.

Released via the federal contracting platform SAM.gov, the RFLP outlines the framework for a long-term partnership under the Enhanced Use Lease model, which is designed to unlock value from non-excess government land for long-term commercial development.

Why Alaska for AI infrastructure?

The DAF's push for infrastructure in Alaska reflects a broader trend across the data centre industry, where hyperscale and AI-driven workloads are driving demand for new locations with access to land and natural cooling capacity.

Alaska offers large land parcels and a colder climate that can support energy-efficient operations. Its natural temperature means less reliance on mechanical cooling for AI facilities, which are already power-intensive.

Under the proposed lease, the selected developer will take full responsibility for financing, permitting, construction and long-term operation of the data centre facilities.

In return, the DAF will receive at least fair market value in cash, creating a revenue stream tied directly to infrastructure development.

The programme identifies 12 individual parcels across the three locations as potential development sites, giving prospective partners flexibility in how they approach deployment and scale.

Public-private model underpins development

The Enhanced Use Lease structure allows the DAF to retain ownership of the land while enabling commercial use by private partners.

This model has been previously used to support infrastructure development without requiring direct government investment in construction or operations.

“This is a unique opportunity for a true public-private partnership,” said Robert Moriarty, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Installations.

“By making this land available, we are supporting the growing demands of the AI industry while generating value that directly supports our missions and the readiness of our Airmen and Guardians.”

Data centre implications for remote locations

This proposal underscores the increasing diversification of site selection strategies in the data centre sector. While traditional hubs continue to expand, data centre professionals are also exploring less conventional regions that can offer scale while also having sustainability benefits and strategic advantages.

Alaska’s geographic and climatic conditions may appeal to developers seeking to optimise cooling efficiency or establish facilities in locations with lower population density. However, challenges such as connectivity and energy infrastructure may factor into their project planning and investment decisions.

The DAF is positioning itself as a facilitator of next-generation infrastructure, while maintaining oversight of its real estate assets by opening up federally controlled land for commercial development.

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