There are two Air Force bases in Alaska that most Airmen get orders to: Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER) in Anchorage and Eielson Air Force Base near Fairbanks. A third site, Clear Space Force Station, was an Air Force station until 2021 and now belongs to the Space Force.
These bases put fighters, cargo jets and radar closer to Asia and the Arctic than almost anywhere else in the country. This guide explains what each one does, what daily life is like, and what BAH covers nearby. PCS stands for Permanent Change of Station, the military's term for an assigned move.
Air Force Bases in Alaska, at a Glance
| Installation | Nearest city | Host unit | Main flying or mission units |
|---|---|---|---|
| JBER (Elmendorf side) | Anchorage | 673d Air Base Wing | 3rd Wing (F-22, C-17) and the Alaska Air National Guard's 176th Wing |
| Eielson AFB | About 23 to 26 miles southeast of Fairbanks | 354th Fighter Wing | 54 F-35As and the Alaska Air National Guard's 168th Wing |
| Clear Space Force Station | Interior Alaska, outside Fairbanks | Space Base Delta 2 | Missile warning and missile defense radar |
Alaska's Air Force and Space Force installations. Sources: JBER, Eielson, Military OneSource, Air Force and Space Force pages.
Alaska also has the Army's Fort Wainwright and Fort Greely and several Coast Guard units. For the full list, see our guide to what military bases are in Alaska, and for Army posts, our guide to Army bases in Alaska.
Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER)
JBER stretches along the entire northern border of Anchorage, Alaska's largest city. It covers more than 75,000 acres and is home to more than 42,000 service members, civilians and family members, per the JBER 2025 newcomer welcome packet. The base joined Elmendorf Air Force Base and the Army's Fort Richardson. The 673d Air Base Wing stood up in 2010 to run the combined base, per JBER's About page.
The main Air Force flying unit is the 3rd Wing, which flies the F-22 Raptor and the C-17 Globemaster, per the 3rd Wing unit page. The Alaska Air National Guard's 176th Wing is also at JBER. It has more than 1,500 Airmen and flies combat search and rescue and airlift missions, per the 176th Wing.
JBER is also a headquarters base. It hosts Alaskan Command, 11th Air Force and the Alaskan NORAD Region, which watches for air threats to North America, per NORAD.
On-base family housing is owned by Aurora Military Housing, with 19 neighborhoods across the base, per the welcome packet. Many families also live off base in Anchorage, Eagle River or the Mat-Su Valley. Our JBER PCS guide covers those areas in detail.
Eielson Air Force Base
Eielson sits in Alaska's interior, about 23 to 26 miles southeast of Fairbanks, with the small town of North Pole about 8 or 9 miles away, per Eielson's newcomers page and Military OneSource. The host 354th Fighter Wing calls itself the northernmost U.S. fighter wing in the world.
Eielson now has 54 combat-coded F-35A Lightning II jets in two fighter squadrons, per the Air Force. The Alaska Air National Guard's 168th Wing flies KC-135 air refueling tankers from the base, per the 168th Wing.
Eielson also hosts RED FLAG-Alaska, one of the biggest combat training exercises in the Pacific. Each exercise brings more than 1,000 people and up to 60 aircraft to the base, and the training airspace covers more than 67,000 square miles, per the RED FLAG-Alaska fact sheet.
Military OneSource lists more than 9,000 people tied to the base, including about 2,981 active duty members and 2,628 family members. It also warns that temperatures can range from 95 degrees in summer to minus 60 in extreme winter. Our Eielson PCS guide covers housing in North Pole, Fairbanks and Salcha.
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Clear Space Force Station
Clear is a remote radar site outside Fairbanks. It was renamed from Clear Air Force Station to Clear Space Force Station on June 15, 2021, and provides around-the-clock missile warning, missile defense and space domain awareness, per the renaming announcement.
In December 2025 the Space Force accepted the new Long Range Discrimination Radar at Clear, per Combat Forces Command. Its host, Space Base Delta 2, calls Clear one of the most remote locations in the country. If you get orders here, ask your sponsor early about housing and travel to Fairbanks.
What BAH Covers Near Alaska's Air Force Bases
BAH is Basic Allowance for Housing, the monthly amount the military pays you toward housing when you live off base. It is set by your pay grade, whether you have dependents, and your duty station's rate area. It is not based on what you actually pay.
Here are 2026 monthly rates, with dependents first and without second, from the official DTMO BAH rate lookup run by the Defense Travel Management Office.
| Base | Rate area | E-5 | E-7 | O-3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JBER | Anchorage (AK404) | $2,874 / $2,157 | $3,045 / $2,283 | $3,360 / $2,643 |
| Eielson AFB | Fairbanks (AK405) | $2,436 / $1,827 | $2,610 / $1,989 | $2,937 / $2,301 |
2026 BAH with dependents at Alaska's two main Air Force bases. Source: DoD DTMO BAH rate lookup.
An E-5 with dependents draws $438 more a month at JBER than at Eielson. Anchorage has more housing choices but higher prices. In the Fairbanks area, Military OneSource reports a median adjusted two-bedroom rent of $1,676 as of March 2025 and an average single-family home price of $362,481 in 2024. Rates reset every January; see our explainer on 2026 BAH rates to check yours.
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We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe anytime.Not sure what your BAH buys in Anchorage or North Pole? Talk with an Alaska agent who works with military families. There is no cost and no obligation.
Life Near Alaska's Air Force Bases
Winter is real. JBER's newcomer guidance tells drivers to switch to winter tires once temperatures drop to about 45 degrees, and Alaska law requires studded tires to come off by May 1, per JBER. Expect long, dark winter days, especially in Fairbanks.
Homes are built for the cold. When you house hunt, ask about heating type, fuel costs, garage space and plug-ins for engine block heaters.
Buying versus renting. A VA loan is a home loan backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs that usually needs no down payment. Our guide to how much house you can afford on BAH helps you set a budget, and our Alaska veteran property tax exemption guide covers tax relief for qualifying veterans.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Air Force bases are in Alaska?
Two main Air Force bases: Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage and Eielson Air Force Base near Fairbanks. Clear Air Force Station became Clear Space Force Station in 2021.
Is JBER an Air Force base or an Army post?
Both. JBER combined Elmendorf Air Force Base and the Army's Fort Richardson. The Air Force's 673d Air Base Wing runs the joint base.
What planes are at Eielson Air Force Base?
Eielson has 54 F-35A fighters, plus KC-135 tankers flown by the Alaska Air National Guard's 168th Wing. During RED FLAG-Alaska, many visiting aircraft also fly from the base.
How cold does it get at Eielson AFB?
Very cold. Military OneSource says temperatures can range from 95 degrees in summer to minus 60 degrees in extreme winter.
Which Alaska Air Force base has higher BAH?
JBER, in the Anchorage rate area. For 2026, an E-5 with dependents receives $2,874 a month at JBER and $2,436 at Eielson.
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This content is for informational purposes. Consult a professional for personal financial decisions.
