Eielson Air Force Base

Eielson Air Force Base, 26 miles southeast of Fairbanks in Interior Alaska and about 110 miles south of the Arctic Circle, is home to the 354th Fighter Wing, which is assigned to 11th Air Force at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson under Pacific Air Forces, according to the Eielson MilitaryINSTALLATIONS overview. Temperatures here can range from 95 degrees in summer to -60 degrees in extreme winter.

Getting there

Eielson is served by Fairbanks International Airport, and there are no shuttles or buses to the base; rental cars are available but will not be reimbursed by the government, so tell your sponsor if you need a ride, the overview says. Many members choose the ferry over driving the Alaska-Canadian Highway, the overview notes, typically boarding in Bellingham, Washington, and getting off in Haines; for official PCS travel on the Alaska Marine Highway System, call the Juneau Reservations Central Office (800-642-0066), and pay or make other arrangements 60 days before travel or the reservation is cancelled. If anyone in your party has had a DUI or DWI, that person may not be admitted into Canada.

If you drive in winter, the installation page lists the minimum winterization: an engine block heater, antifreeze rated to -60 degrees and the right motor oil, plus a winter emergency kit in each vehicle. Watch for caribou, moose and bears on and beside the road.

Checking in

Contact your sponsor as soon as you arrive; your sponsor will tell you the unit reporting procedures, and if you arrive after duty hours, report in the next duty day, per the check-in page. In-processing runs through your Commander’s Support Staff, which schedules Pioneer Start, the mandatory newcomers orientation that covers winter survival and safety; family members are encouraged to attend. Do not pack important papers with your household goods or hold baggage. The Visitors and Welcome Center at Hursey Gate (907-377-3807) is open 24 hours for passes. Base operator: 907-377-1110.

Housing: Mayroad and the two-day rule

“Personnel must report to the Military Housing Office within two (2) duty days of arrival”, whether or not you will live on base, the housing page says; book an appointment with a housing counselor for your Temporary Lodging Allowance briefing (907-377-1840). “On-base housing at Eielson AFB is owned by Mayroad”, and if you choose privatized housing, you must complete a move-in brief before your referral goes to Mayroad. Unaccompanied members in grades E-1 to E-4 are required to be assigned to the dormitories, though Senior Airmen with three or more years’ time in service do not qualify unless command directed. As listed on the same page in October 2026, off-base rentals near the base range from about $1,000 to $2,100 a month without utilities.

Medical care: no emergency room on base

“Although Eielson does not have an emergency room, 24-hour ambulance service is available for transport to Bassett Army Community Hospital”, on Fort Wainwright, the health care page says. Bassett is also the clinic’s primary referral source for specialty and inpatient care. The 354th Medical Group Clinic (907-377-1847) provides outpatient primary care; routine dental care is for active-duty members only.

In an emergency, call 911; if you call from a cell phone, the call is routed through Fairbanks, so tell the dispatcher you are on Eielson Air Force Base, or call 354th Security Forces (907-377-5130), per the emergency assistance page.

Weapons

Registration of all privately owned weapons is mandatory for residents of base housing, dormitories and lodging; dormitory and lodging residents must store weapons in the Security Forces Armory, according to the installation page.

Before you leave your last base

Winterize your vehicle, book ferry travel early if you are not driving the whole way, and schedule your Military Housing Office appointment for your first two duty days.