Fort Wainwright

Branch: U.S. Army
Location: Fairbanks, Alaska
Installation Type: Fort
Status: Active

Overview

Fort Wainwright is a major U.S. Army installation located near Fairbanks in interior Alaska, administered by U.S. Army Garrison Alaska (USAG Alaska). Established in 1939 as Ladd Field and transferred to the Army in 1961, it serves as the home of the 11th Airborne Division and is the U.S. Army’s primary Arctic warfighting installation. The post manages over 1.6 million acres of training land, making it one of the largest training environments in the Army.

Mission & Units

Primary Mission: Deploy combat-ready Arctic forces to support joint military operations worldwide; serve as the Joint Force Land Component Command for Joint Task Force Alaska.
Major Units: Headquarters, 11th Airborne Division (“Arctic Angels”); 1st Brigade Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division (formerly 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division); USARAK Aviation Task Force; Medical Department Activity-Alaska (MEDDAC-Alaska)
Tenant Units: Alaska Army National Guard elements; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Alaska District; various support and intelligence units

Location & Access

Nearest Major City: Fairbanks, AK – immediately adjacent (city center approximately 3 miles west)
Nearest Commercial Airport: Fairbanks International Airport (FAI) – approximately 5 miles from main post
Gate Access: Hammons Gate (main gate) and additional entry control points; 24-hour access for military ID holders; visitors require valid ID and military sponsor escort or visitor pass from Visitor Control Center

Population

Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 6,500
Family Members: Approximately 5,700
Civilian Employees: Approximately 1,250 (plus 400+ contractors)
Total Installation Population: Approximately 15,000

Key Facilities

Medical: Bassett Army Community Hospital – full-service military hospital; emergency care, primary care, dental, behavioral health, and specialty services available; (907) 361-4277
Commissary: Yes – on-post commissary serving the installation community
Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Yes – Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) main store and shoppettes on post
Fitness & Recreation: Multiple physical fitness centers; indoor pool; bowling center; Arctic Warrior Outdoor Recreation (skiing, snowshoeing, fishing, hunting permits); youth sports programs; Rod and Gun Club
Schools: Lathrop High School and other Fairbanks North Star Borough School District schools serve military families; DoDEA does not operate schools at Fort Wainwright; Fairbanks public schools are generally well-regarded
Childcare: Child Development Centers (CDC) on post; School Age Services available; waitlists are common – register immediately upon orders receipt; (907) 361-3929
Veterinary Services: Veterinary Treatment Facility on post; wellness exams, vaccinations, preventive care for active duty pets; call for appointments
Legal Assistance / JAG: Office of the Staff Judge Advocate on post; walk-in legal assistance and appointment-based services available; contact through USAG Alaska directory

Housing

On-Post Housing: Managed by Northern Homes (privatized housing); approximately 1,900 units; mix of single-family homes and multi-unit buildings; accommodations designed with Arctic insulation in mind; condition varies by unit age
Average Wait Time: Varies; housing is in high demand due to limited off-post options in Fairbanks; can range from weeks to several months
Off-Post Housing: Fairbanks offers off-post rental options; average rent for 3-bedroom home approximately $1,400-$2,000/month; heating costs in winter can be significant (oil or natural gas); North Pole, AK (adjacent community) is popular with families
BAH Rate Reference: Check current BAH rates at Defense Travel Management Office (dtmo.mil); Fairbanks BAH is enhanced to reflect remote Alaska costs and heating expenses

PCS & Newcomer Info

Sponsorship Program: Contact your gaining unit through USAG Alaska’s sponsorship coordinator upon receipt of orders; pre-arrival packets available through the Relocation Readiness Program
In-Processing: Report to the Soldier Readiness Processing (SRP) facility; in-processing typically takes 3-5 business days; USAG Alaska welcome center provides initial orientation
EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): Army Community Service, USAG Alaska; enrollment is mandatory for all families with special needs members prior to PCS; contact (907) 361-4422 for enrollment procedures; note that some specialty services may require travel to Anchorage or the lower 48

Local Area & Quality of Life

Climate: Subarctic continental; extreme seasonal variation; temperatures range from -66F to +94F; average January low -17F, average July high 73F; winters are long and dark (polar night near solstice); summers feature near-continuous daylight (midnight sun); annual precipitation is low (~11 inches)
Cost of Living: High relative to national average; groceries and fuel are significantly more expensive due to Alaska’s remote supply chains; utilities especially high in winter; military BAH and BAS rates reflect this
Nearby Attractions: Denali National Park and Preserve (approximately 120 miles south); Chena Hot Springs Resort; Aurora borealis viewing (September-March); Chena River recreation and the Tanana River valley; Fairbanks Pioneer Park
Spouse Employment: Fairbanks offers limited but stable employment in education, healthcare, government, and trades; University of Alaska Fairbanks is a major employer; remote work options are increasingly important for spouses at this remote installation

Contact & Resources

Official Website: https://home.army.mil/alaska (USAG Alaska encompasses both Fort Wainwright and Fort Greely)
Main Installation Phone: (907) 353-1110
MWR Website: https://alaska.armymwr.com
ACS / Fleet & Family / Airman & Family Readiness: Army Community Service (ACS), USAG Alaska; (907) 361-4422; relocation assistance, financial readiness, employment readiness, family advocacy

Last updated: 2026-02-23
Sources: https://home.army.mil/alaska; https://installations.militaryonesource.mil/in-depth-overview/fort-wainwright; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Wainwright; https://missionmilspouse.org/pwtm-fort-wainwright-alaska, Joseph L. Jordan, Attorney at Law