Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson

Branch: U.S. Army (Joint Base; Air Force component also present)
Location: Anchorage, Alaska
Installation Type: Joint Base
Status: Active

Overview

Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER) was established in 2010 through the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process, merging Elmendorf Air Force Base (established 1940) and Fort Richardson (established 1940) into a single joint installation. Located adjacent to Anchorage, Alaska, JBER serves as the premier power-projection platform in the Pacific and Arctic regions. The Army component, U.S. Army Alaska (USARAK), is the primary land force command, while the Air Force component provides strategic airlift and fighter aviation capabilities. JBER supports the defense of Alaska, the Pacific theater, and Arctic operations.

Mission & Units

Primary Mission: Project Army and Air Force combat power across the Pacific, Arctic, and Indo-Pacific Command areas of responsibility; support homeland defense and defense of Alaska.
Major Units (Army):
U.S. Army Alaska (USARAK) — Headquarters
1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division (“Arctic Wolves”)
4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division (at Fort Wainwright; administratively linked)
17th Fires Brigade (Artillery)
6th Engineer Battalion
43rd Sustainment Brigade elements
Major Units (Air Force):
3rd Wing, Pacific Air Forces (F-22 Raptors, E-3 Sentry AWACS)
176th Wing, Alaska Air National Guard (HC-130J, HH-60G)
Tenant Units: U.S. Special Operations Command elements; Alaska Army National Guard; U.S. Army Reserve; Defense agencies

Location & Access

Nearest Major City: Anchorage, Alaska (installation borders the city; approximately 5 miles from downtown Anchorage)
Nearest Commercial Airport: Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC), approximately 8 miles southwest
Gate Access: Multiple access gates operating on varied schedules; valid CAC, Uniformed Services ID, or visitor pass required for access. Visitors must proceed to the Visitor Control Center. Real ID-compliant identification required for civilians without federal ID.

Population

Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 15,000 (Army and Air Force combined)
Family Members: Approximately 18,000–22,000
Civilian Employees: Approximately 5,000–7,000
Total Installation Population: Approximately 30,000–35,000 (military and civilian combined)

Key Facilities

Medical: Bassett Army Community Hospital (Army, located at Fort Wainwright); JBER has the JBER Hospital (formerly Elmendorf Regional Medical Center) — a full-service military hospital providing Level II trauma care, primary care, specialty care, behavioral health, dental, and pharmacy services.
Commissary: Yes — full-service commissary on post, one of the higher-volume commissaries in the Pacific region given Alaska’s high grocery costs.
Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Yes — large Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) main exchange, shoppette, food court, and auto sales on post.
Fitness & Recreation: Multiple gyms and physical fitness centers; indoor and outdoor pools; bowling alley; golf course (Moose Run Golf Course, 36 holes); outdoor recreation center offering hunting/fishing gear and trip planning; ski resort access coordination; youth sports programs.
Schools: DoDEA Alaskan District operates schools on JBER including Ursa Major Elementary, Ursa Minor Elementary, Ft. Richardson Elementary, and Elmendorf Elementary; Gruening Middle School and Wendler Middle School; JBER High School. Anchorage School District also serves some families.
Childcare: Multiple Child Development Centers (CDC) on post; waitlists are frequent — early contact with CDC is strongly recommended. School Age Services (SAS) also available.
Veterinary Services: Military Veterinary Treatment Facility on JBER providing preventive care, vaccinations, annual exams, and health certificates for military working animals and privately owned pets of active duty personnel and their families.
Legal Assistance / JAG: Office of the Staff Judge Advocate located on JBER; provides legal assistance for active duty and dependents; appointments recommended; walk-in hours available for limited services.

Housing

On-Post Housing: Managed by Lend Lease (Balfour Beatty Communities or successor — verify with housing office); multiple neighborhoods covering both the Army and Air Force sides of the base; includes newly renovated homes and older stock.
Average Wait Time: Wait times can vary significantly by grade; junior enlisted may wait 6-18 months; contact the housing office upon receipt of orders. Given Alaska’s limited off-post rental market, on-post housing is highly sought after.
Off-Post Housing: Anchorage neighborhoods such as Eagle River, Muldoon, South Anchorage, and Chugiak are popular. Average rent in Anchorage ranges from approximately $1,600–$2,600/month for 2-3 bedroom homes. The off-post housing market is relatively expensive by Alaska standards.
BAH Rate Reference: Check current BAH rates at the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) website. Anchorage BAH rates are notably higher than most CONUS locations to reflect Alaska’s elevated cost of living.

PCS & Newcomer Info

Sponsorship Program: Request a sponsor through the gaining unit S1 or battalion/squadron sponsorship coordinator; JBER ACS Welcome Center can assist with newcomer orientation and sponsor connections.
In-Processing: Report to the JBER Installation In-Processing Center; Army and Air Force personnel follow component-specific in-processing checklists; plan for 3-5 business days; includes medical, finance, housing, and family support appointments.
EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): Enrollment handled through JBER Soldier and Family Readiness; medical screening through JBER Hospital; school liaison services available for EFMP families. Contact ACS at (907) 384-1542 (verify current number).

Local Area & Quality of Life

Climate: Subarctic; long, cold winters with heavy snowfall and temperatures frequently below 0 degrees Fahrenheit; mild summers (June-August) with very long daylight hours (up to 19+ hours in June). Winters are long and dark, which can affect morale.
Cost of Living: High — Alaska has some of the highest costs of living in the United States, particularly for groceries, fuel, and consumer goods. The commissary and exchange are especially valuable cost-savers.
Nearby Attractions: Chugach State Park (world-class hiking, skiing); Denali National Park and Preserve (approximately 240 miles north); fishing and hunting (world-renowned; licensing required); Alyeska Resort skiing (approximately 40 miles south); Kenai Peninsula (approximately 75 miles).
Spouse Employment: Anchorage offers a moderate job market; state government, healthcare, oil and gas, and tourism are major employers. Alaska has military spouse licensing reciprocity provisions. Remote work opportunities are valuable given Alaska’s geographic isolation.

Contact & Resources

Official Website: https://home.army.mil/jber
Main Installation Phone: (907) 552-1110 (Air Force main line) / (907) 384-1110 (Army component)
MWR Website: https://jber.armymwr.com
ACS / Army Community Service: JBER Army Community Service; Building 600, Postal Service Loop Road; (907) 384-1542 (verify current number)

Last updated: 2026-02-22
Sources: U.S. Army official installation page (home.army.mil/jber); JBER MWR; DoDEA Alaskan District; general knowledge of installation as of August 2025, Joseph L. Jordan, Attorney at Law