A Nuclear Reactor for Alaska's F-35s

A Nuclear Reactor for Alaska's F-35s

August 20, 2025 · 18 min

About this episode

The episode discusses the testing of a first-of-its-kind nuclear microreactor at Eielson Air Force Base in Fairbanks, Alaska.

The multi-million dollar fighter jets that roar over the local tennis court where I coach the high school team is a daily reminder that Fairbanks is home to one of the most strategically important Air Force bases in the world. And now, Eielson Air Force Base is about to make history on a very different front — testing a first-of-its-kind nuclear microreactor. People: Colonel Michael Mullin, Deputy Wing Commander, Eielson Air Force Base; Nancy Balkus, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Infrastructure, Energy and Environment Places: Fairbanks, Alaska; Eielson Air Force Base Technology/Concepts: nuclear microreactor, small modular nuclear power, Arctic security, cold weather combat training Closing the Gap is hosted by Gwen Holdmann, edited by Jennifer Pemberton, and produced by Tony Williams.

People in this episode

Host: Gwen Holdmann

Guests: Colonel Michael Mullin, Nancy Balkus

Topics covered

Keywords

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Eielson Air Force Base

Places: Fairbanks, Alaska

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