Fort Wainwright

“Fort Wainwright is considered an overseas tour.” With that status, the Fort Wainwright MilitaryINSTALLATIONS page explains, for family members to come with you, your permanent change of station orders must say “concurrent travel” and list each family member by name, and each family member must have completed Exceptional Family Member screening and have command sponsorship. If your orders say “deferred travel”, you travel to Alaska alone and begin the command sponsorship process after you sign in.

The Fort Wainwright overview places the post adjacent to Fairbanks in the interior of Alaska, in the North Star Borough, with Fairbanks 365 miles north of Anchorage. The base operator is 907-353-1110.

History and units

The post was first established in 1939 as Ladd Field, a cold weather station to test aircraft under arctic conditions; in 1961 it was transferred to the Army and redesignated Fort Wainwright in honor of World War II General Jonathan M. Wainwright. “In June 2022, U.S. Army Alaska reflagged to the 11th Airborne Division”, the overview says. Its list of tenant units and supported commands includes the 11th Airborne Division, the 1-11 Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Arctic Aviation Command, Medical Department Activity-Alaska and Bassett Army Community Hospital, the Northern Warfare Training Center, the Cold Regions Test Center and the 3rd Air Support Operations Squadron (USAF).

Getting there and signing in

At the gate, stop at the Visitor Center to the right before entering; you need a copy of your orders, your military ID card, driver’s license, current vehicle registration and proof of insurance for a vehicle pass. Then sign in with the Military Personnel Division at the Welcome Center, Building 3401, 3rd floor, on Santiago Avenue. “You will have in-processing for five days before reporting to your unit”, the check-in page says, and the Welcome Center line is manned 24 hours a day (907-353-4311).

If you fly into Fairbanks, be prepared to take a taxi from the airport to the Welcome Center; the overview puts the fare at approximately $30.00. If you drive the ALCAN Highway or use the Alaska Marine Highway System, your PCS orders must state that you are authorized to travel that route, and you will need your orders, photo ID and your children’s birth certificates to pass through Canada. A vehicle shipped to arrive between October and April must have anti-freeze protection to -60F (Transportation Office, 907-353-4026).

Weather

The overview warns: “The weather in Fairbanks has the largest swing in the world. It can reach 90+ F degrees in the summer and possibly as cold as -65 F degrees in the winter.”

Housing: North Haven Communities

“Fort Wainwright housing is owned and managed by North Haven Communities and is the preferred choice for active-duty military families”, per the government housing page, which counts more than 1,800 privatized housing units on post. The wait for on-post housing can vary widely with the number of families arriving and departing; for wait lists and leasing procedures, call the NHC leasing office in the Welcome Center at 907-318-6540. Tenants may have a total of two pets (dogs and cats) in any combination, registered with the garrison.

“Note: All military members must process through the HSO prior to entering into any rental or sales agreement.” The Housing Services Office is on the first floor of Building 3401 (907-353-1190), per the housing page. “About one-third of families assigned to the installation reside off post for at least a portion of their tour of duty.” The acceptable commute from off-post rentals is a maximum of 30 minutes as measured in extreme adverse weather conditions, and “The majority of rentals do not accept pets.”

Single, unaccompanied service members E-5 or below live in one of the 29 barracks on post, and there are no bachelor officer or senior enlisted quarters.

Temporary lodging allowance and lodging

You must obtain your TLA authorization within your first five days of arrival, the temporary housing page says. TLA is authorized in ten-day increments, with proof of an aggressive housing search validated by the HSO at the end of each period, and a maximum of 20 days can be authorized to secure a rental agreement or NHC offer you will occupy within 60 days of signing in. Pet ownership is not a consideration in TLA approval, and pet fees are not reimbursed.

“The popularity of Alaska means lodging is usually 100% booked from April through September”, the same page warns. The Holiday Inn Express on Fort Wainwright takes reservations at 877-711-8326 (front desk 907-370-0999).

Medical care at Bassett

Bassett Army Community Hospital is for Soldiers and family members (information desk 907-361-4000), and “Emergency Room and Emergency Services available 24/7”, the health care page says; the Urgent Care Center takes same-day requests for minor illnesses 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Kamish Clinic is for Soldiers only. “Availability of specialized medical care is limited in Alaska, so some medical problems cannot be supported here.”

Fort Wainwright is serviced by an E911 system: “In case of emergency, dial 911 from any phone on the installation, and if using a cell phone, inform the operator that you are on Fort Wainwright”, per the emergency assistance page. Military Police non-emergency: 907-353-7526.

Schools: Fairbanks North Star Borough

“There are no DoD schools on Fort Wainwright.” Military children attend public schools in the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District, per the education page; the School Liaison Officer is at 907-353-1043.

Before you arrive

Confirm your orders say concurrent travel with every family member named, finish EFMP screening and command sponsorship, book lodging as soon as you are eligible, and plan to get your TLA authorization in your first five days.