Eielson Air Force Base

Branch: U.S. Air Force
Location: Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska (near North Pole, AK)
Installation Type: Air Force Base
Status: Active

Overview

Eielson Air Force Base is located approximately 26 miles southeast of Fairbanks, Alaska, and was established in 1944 as Mile 26 Army Air Field, later renamed to honor Carl Ben Eielson, a pioneering Alaskan aviator. The base serves as the northernmost F-35 base in the world and is a key installation for Pacific Air Forces (PACAF), providing combat-ready forces capable of operating in the most austere and cold-weather environments on earth. Eielson is also home to the Pacific Alaska Range Complex, one of the world’s premier air combat training ranges.

Mission & Units

Primary Mission: Generate and project combat air power in the Indo-Pacific region; conduct realistic large-force employment training in the Pacific Alaska Range Complex.
Major Units:
354th Fighter Wing (Pacific Air Forces) — host wing
18th Aggressor Squadron — F-16 Aggressors
355th Fighter Squadron — F-35A Lightning II
356th Fighter Squadron — F-35A Lightning II
354th Operations Group
354th Medical Group
354th Mission Support Group
Tenant Units: Alaska Air National Guard units, Army Stryker Brigade Combat Team (Fort Wainwright nearby), Red Flag-Alaska exercises bring rotational units regularly

Location & Access

Nearest Major City: Fairbanks, Alaska (approximately 26 miles northwest); North Pole, Alaska (approximately 5 miles)
Nearest Commercial Airport: Fairbanks International Airport (FAI), approximately 26 miles from main gate
Gate Access: Main gate operates 24/7; CAC or RealID required for base access; visitor passes issued at Visitor Control Center; extreme cold weather can affect gate operations — plan for potential delays in winter months

Population

Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 3,500
Family Members: Approximately 4,500
Civilian Employees: Approximately 1,200
Total Installation Population: Approximately 9,500

Key Facilities

Medical: 354th Medical Group — primary care, dental, mental health, pharmacy, and aerospace medicine; specialty care referred to Fairbanks Memorial Hospital or Bassett Army Community Hospital (Fort Wainwright) or JBER in Anchorage
Commissary: Yes — full-service commissary; note that Alaskan prices for some items may be higher than continental U.S.; significant for families given higher overall cost of living
Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Yes — Main Exchange (BX) with retail, clothing, shoppette, and gas station; gas prices on base typically lower than local Fairbanks area
Fitness & Recreation: Multiple fitness centers, indoor pool, hockey rink, ski area (Moose Creek Ski Area with rope tow), bowling center, outdoor recreation center with equipment for Alaska outdoor activities (snowmachines, ATVs, camping gear), Liberty Recreation Center
Schools: Fairbanks North Star Borough School District; Lathrop High School, North Pole High School, and other schools serve dependent children; no DoDEA school on base
Childcare: Child Development Center on base; high demand — waitlists can be lengthy; School-Age Care available; Eielson has made child care availability a priority given remote location challenges
Veterinary Services: Veterinary Treatment Facility on base; services include wellness exams, vaccinations, and care for military working dogs; privately owned animal care available; note that some animals have breed restrictions for base housing
Legal Assistance / JAG: 354th Fighter Wing Judge Advocate office; legal assistance available by appointment; walk-in hours posted; Alaska-specific legal issues (wills, powers of attorney) commonly addressed

Housing

On-Base Housing: Managed by Lendlease (previously privatized); approximately 1,100 family housing units; housing is winterized and built for extreme cold; all homes have heated garages — essential in interior Alaska winters; neighborhoods are generally well-maintained
Average Wait Time: Moderate; 1-4 months depending on unit size; on-base housing strongly recommended for first-time Alaska assignees
Off-Base Housing: North Pole (5 miles) and Fairbanks (26 miles) are most common; average rent for 3-bedroom home in North Pole approximately $1,400-$2,000/month; Fairbanks area slightly higher; utilities (heating oil/natural gas) add significantly to monthly costs — budget accordingly
BAH Rate Reference: Check current BAH rates at the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) website.

PCS & Newcomer Info

Sponsorship Program: 354th Fighter Wing assigns sponsors through gaining units; Alaska assignment sponsors are particularly important given the remote and unique nature of the assignment — contact gaining unit well in advance
In-Processing: Report to Military Personnel Section on arrival; Alaska-specific in-processing includes cold-weather survival training briefings and local area orientation; plan for 2-4 days of in-processing
EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): Managed through 354th Medical Group; enrollment is critical for Alaska assignments due to limited specialty medical services in the Fairbanks area; EFMP screening must be completed before orders are finalized; some conditions may not be supportable in the Fairbanks area — early coordination is essential

Local Area & Quality of Life

Climate: Subarctic continental; extreme winters with temperatures regularly reaching -40 to -50 degrees F (wind chill even lower); summers can be warm (70-80 degrees F) with nearly 24 hours of daylight; aurora borealis visible October-March; permanent daylight in summer months affects sleep — blackout curtains essential
Cost of Living: High — Alaska cost of living is significantly above national average; food, fuel, and goods are expensive; military members receive Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) for Alaska; on-base services (commissary, BX, gas) provide significant savings
Nearby Attractions: Denali National Park (approximately 120 miles south), Northern Lights viewing, Chena Hot Springs Resort (60 miles), Fairbanks Ice Museum (seasonal), Midnight Sun Baseball Game (June), outstanding hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation throughout interior Alaska
Spouse Employment: Fairbanks job market is limited compared to continental U.S.; University of Alaska Fairbanks provides employment and educational opportunities; remote work has become more viable; military spouse preference applies to federal positions; some spouses find the Alaska lifestyle rewarding despite employment challenges

Contact & Resources

Official Website: https://www.eielson.af.mil
Main Installation Phone: (907) 377-1110
MWR Website: https://www.eielsonservices.com
ACS / Fleet & Family / Airman & Family Readiness: Airman & Family Readiness Center (A&FRC) — (907) 377-2097; located on base; extensive newcomer resources given unique Alaska assignment challenges

Last updated: 2026-02-22
Sources: www.eielson.af.mil, militaryinstallations.mil, Pacific Air Forces public affairs, AHRN housing data, DeCA commissary locator, Fairbanks North Star Borough School District