The History of Adak
As the westernmost city in the United States and the southernmost city in Alaska, Adak’s location has placed it at the center of a long and storied history. Originally, Adak Island belonged to the Aleut peoples and was home to many of their villages. However, most of these settlements were abandoned in the early 1800s due to the migration of the Russian fur trade to the East and a severe famine.
World War II
During World War II, when the Japanese invaded and occupied the Aleutian Islands of Attu and Kiska, the United States placed an airfield in Adak as part of its mission to take back those islands. Flight missions began in September of 1942, and by May of 1943, just nine months later, U.S. soldiers landed on Attu Island and defeated the Japanese garrison there. In August of 1943, U.S. soldiers landed in Kiska, but found the Japanese had already evacuated.
The Cold War
Adak was home to a U.S. Naval Air Station and its submarine surveillance center throughout the Cold War era. The station housed over 6,000 navy soldiers and their families until 1997, when government cutbacks led to its closure.
Adak Incorporated
After the Naval base closed, the town of Adak was incorporated at the site of the former base. Today, Adak is a premier fishing and hunting destination. Its designation as part of the Aleutian Islands National Wildlife Refuge draws both on- and off-shore tourists and outdoor enthusiasts each year. In addition, many commercial fishing operations regularly visit the Port of Adak and use its services.