Fort Greely

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

Overview

Fort Greely is located near Delta Junction, Alaska, approximately 100 miles southeast of Fairbanks. Established in 1942 as a cold-weather warfare training site, it was reactivated in the early 2000s as the home of the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense (GMD) missile interceptor system. Today the installation serves as a critical component of the nation’s homeland missile defense architecture under the operational control of U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command.

Mission & Units

Primary Mission: Host and support the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense (GMD) system, providing homeland ballistic missile defense for the continental United States.
Major Units: 49th Missile Defense Battalion (49th MDB), 100th Missile Defense Brigade (Colorado Army National Guard, tenant)
Tenant Units: Missile Defense Agency contractor workforce; elements of U.S. Army Alaska

Location & Access

Nearest Major City: Fairbanks, AK — approximately 100 miles northwest
Nearest Commercial Airport: Fairbanks International Airport (FAI) — approximately 100 miles northwest
Gate Access: Fort Greely maintains a controlled access installation. Valid CAC, military ID, or visitor pass required. Visitors must be sponsored by an installation resident or unit and obtain a visitor pass at the visitor control center. Hours and procedures are subject to operational security requirements.

Population

Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 500-800
Family Members: Approximately 500-700
Civilian Employees: Approximately 1,000+ (including large defense contractor workforce)
Total Installation Population: Approximately 2,000-3,000 (including contractors)

Key Facilities

Medical: Bassett Army Community Hospital is located at Fort Wainwright (Fairbanks); Fort Greely has a health clinic providing primary care and emergency services for on-post personnel.
Commissary: Yes — small commissary serving the installation population
Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Yes — Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) facility on post
Fitness & Recreation: Physical fitness center, indoor recreation facilities; outdoor recreation opportunities including hunting and fishing in surrounding areas
Schools: Delta/Greely School District serves military families; no DoDEA school on post
Childcare: Child Development Center on post; waitlist common due to limited capacity in remote location
Veterinary Services: Limited veterinary services on post; Fairbanks area provides full veterinary care off post
Legal Assistance / JAG: Legal assistance is available through Fort Wainwright JAG office; limited on-post legal services by appointment

Housing

On-Post Housing: Managed by the installation; housing consists of single-family units and townhomes for active duty families. Condition is generally good following renovation efforts.
Average Wait Time: Wait times vary; remote location means on-post housing is often the primary option and wait times can be several weeks to months depending on grade and unit size.
Off-Post Housing: Delta Junction offers very limited rental inventory. Most off-post housing consists of private rentals in Delta Junction or commuting from Fairbanks. Average rent in Delta Junction ranges from approximately $800-$1,400/month for modest homes.
BAH Rate Reference: Check current BAH rates at the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) website.

PCS & Newcomer Info

Sponsorship Program: Contact gaining unit upon receipt of orders; unit S1 sections coordinate sponsor assignment.
In-Processing: Report to the Soldier Support Center upon arrival. In-processing typically takes 3-5 duty days and covers medical, finance, housing, and unit integration.
EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): EFMP enrollment and support services are coordinated through the Army Community Service office. Due to the remote and austere nature of the installation, EFMP screening is particularly important prior to PCS. Contact ACS for pre-PCS consultations.

Local Area & Quality of Life

Climate: Subarctic continental climate. Winters are long and extremely cold, with temperatures regularly reaching -40°F or colder. Summers are short but can be warm with extended daylight. Heavy snow is common from October through April.
Cost of Living: High — remote Alaskan location drives up cost of groceries, fuel, and goods. COLA (Cost of Living Allowance) is authorized for Alaska duty.
Nearby Attractions: Delta Junction historical sites and Visitor Center; Big Delta State Historical Park; fishing and hunting on the Delta River and surrounding wilderness; Aurora Borealis viewing in winter months.
Spouse Employment: Very limited local employment opportunities due to remote location. Remote/telework opportunities and on-post employment (AAFES, schools, child care) are the primary options for military spouses.

Contact & Resources

Official Website: https://home.army.mil/greely/
Main Installation Phone: (907) 873-1121
MWR Website: Not publicly available
ACS / Fleet & Family / Airman & Family Readiness: Army Community Service (ACS), Fort Greely — contact through the installation operator at (907) 873-1121

Last updated: 2026-02-22
Sources: U.S. Army Installation Management Command (home.army.mil/greely), Missile Defense Agency public affairs, Army Community Service Fort Greely; Joseph L. Jordan, Attorney at Law