The President’s Visit to Pump Station #8 – Fairbanks, Alaska

By Editor | November 29, 2025 |

On November 29, 1975, President Gerald Ford visited Fairbanks, Alaska, to tour the Trans Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS), including Pump Station #8, just before his historic trip to the People’s Republic of China. His visit highlighted the importance of energy independence, the nation’s growing oil infrastructure, and maintaining a balance with the Alaskan environment. Joined by Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, Federal Energy Administrator Frank Zarb, and other federal officials, Ford spent the day engaging with pipeline workers, asking technical questions about vertical support members, and touring key segments of the pipeline.

1975, November 29 – Alyeska Pipeline Service Company Pump Station #8 – Fairbanks, AK – Gerald R. Ford, Frank Moolin Jr., Others – Moolin (floppy hat) guides GRF through construction equipment & standing under pipeline; handshaking with workers; all not in frame – President’s Far Eastern Trip; Alaska Stopover; Visit to Trans-Alaska Pipeline; Pipeline Supervisor – Fairbanks, Alaska

Key Highlights from the Visit:

  • President Ford personally toured the pipeline and asked about the vertical support members, which hold the pipeline above ground. He learned some extend 20 to 80 feet into the ground, with Teflon sliding plates to accommodate expansion.
  • Secretary of State Kissinger and other officials joined the tour, with lighthearted moments as they donned cold-weather gear provided for the visit.
  • Ford and his daughter Susan interacted warmly with workers, posed for photos, and discussed pipeline operations, showing genuine interest in both engineering and worker perspectives.
  • The visit to Pump Station #8 and the surrounding pipeline right-of-way illustrated how major infrastructure projects could proceed while respecting the local environment and community engagement.

Historical Context:

The Trans Alaska Pipeline System stretches 800 miles from Prudhoe Bay to Valdez, traversing some of the most challenging terrain in Alaska. Construction began on March 27, 1975, and was completed by May 31, 1977, with oil first flowing on June 20, 1977. Since then, over 19 billion barrels of oil have moved through TAPS, making it one of the largest pipelines in the world.

President Ford’s visit was part of a long tradition of presidential attention to the Tanana Valley, following visits by Warren G. Harding in 1923 and later visits by Ronald Reagan, Richard Nixon, and Jimmy Carter.

1975, November 29 – Alyeska Pipeline Service Company Pump Station #8 – Fairbanks, AK – Gerald R. Ford, Kissinger, Zarb; William Shuffler; Ken Anderson, Rodney Higgins, Joe Bowers, John Branch, Entourage – walking, standing by pipeline, receiving tour by Shuffler; wearing hard hats, arctic weather gear; names on hard hats, snow; all not in frame– President’s Far Eastern Trip; Alaska Stopover; Visit to Trans-Alaska Pipeline – Fairbanks, Alaska

Read More:

For a full account of President Ford’s historic visit, see the original article in the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, President Ford visits the pipeline

Information in this article is based on the original article from the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. Images are from the NARA/Ford White House Collection.

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