If you have orders for a PCS to Fort Wainwright, you are heading to one of the most distinctive duty stations in the U.S. Army. PCS stands for Permanent Change of Station, the military term for an official move from one duty station to another. Fort Wainwright sits in Fairbanks, Alaska — in the heart of the state's interior — and it is home to the 11th Airborne Division, the "Arctic Angels." This 2027 guide covers the post's mission, where to live, how housing pay works, schools, healthcare, and what daily life looks like in one of the coldest and most spectacular places in the country.
Alaska is not like any other PCS. The distance, the climate, and the logistics require real planning. Our goal is to make the Fort Wainwright part of that plan feel manageable before you arrive.
For the big picture on military installations in the state, start with what military bases are in Alaska.
What and Where Is Fort Wainwright?
Fort Wainwright is a U.S. Army installation located just east of Fairbanks, Alaska, in the interior of the state. It is operated by the U.S. Army Garrison Alaska, whose mission is to enable the readiness of Army forces in Alaska by integrating resources and delivering installation services that support Arctic Warriors, families, civilians, and the broader community.
The post is home to the 11th Airborne Division, reactivated June 6, 2022, with the 1st Brigade headquartered at Fort Wainwright. When the division stood up, the Army's Chief of Staff called its soldiers future masters of Arctic Warfare — trained not merely to operate in extreme cold and mountainous terrain, but to build and demonstrate mastery of it.
Other units and tenants include the 1st Battalion, 52nd General Support Aviation Battalion; the 1-25th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion; and the Northern Warfare Training Center.
Where to Live When PCSing to Fort Wainwright
Most families live in on-post housing or settle in one of the communities surrounding Fairbanks. Your decision comes down to commute, schools, budget, and how much space you want.
One PCS reality unique to Alaska: shipping a vehicle here requires advance planning. Whether you use the Alaska Marine Highway or a commercial carrier, build the cost and lead time into your budget early.
Approximate one-way drive times to Fort Wainwright. Times vary with traffic and which gate you use.
Fairbanks
Fairbanks is the largest city in interior Alaska, about 10 minutes from the post. It offers the widest selection of housing, shopping, restaurants, and services in the region. Most families new to Fort Wainwright start here, with options ranging from established neighborhoods to newer construction.
North Pole
North Pole is a small city southeast of Fairbanks, about 20 minutes from the post. It is popular with Fort Wainwright families for its community feel, newer single-family homes, and reasonable prices. The highway location keeps shopping within easy reach.
Fox
Fox is a small community north of Fairbanks along the Steese Highway, roughly 20 minutes from the post. It draws families who want a quieter, more rural setting with more land, while staying within a short drive of the city.
Salcha
Salcha sits about 30 minutes southeast of the post along the Richardson Highway. It is more spread out, with larger lots and lower entry costs for some properties. The trade-off is a longer commute and more distance from services.
Fort Wainwright BAH and the Cost of Living
If you live off post, the military helps cover your housing through BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing), a monthly, tax-free payment. The amount depends on your rank, whether you have dependents, and your duty station's Military Housing Area (MHA). Fort Wainwright falls within the Fairbanks, Alaska MHA.
Because rates change each year and vary by rank and dependent status, we do not publish a rate table here. Use the official DoD calculator — travel.dod.mil BAH Rate Lookup — to find your exact figure. Always confirm your rate before signing a lease or making an offer.
For a sense of buying costs, the typical home value in Fairbanks was about $305,527 in May 2026, according to Zillow. That is a typical value, not a median sale price. As of the week of June 18, 2026, Freddie Mac reported the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate at 6.47 percent.
Alaska also has a higher cost of living than most of the continental United States, particularly for groceries. Factor that into your monthly budget alongside housing.
Read what are the benefits of a VA loan if you plan to use your VA loan benefit — a home loan backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Schools Near Fort Wainwright
The schools your children attend depend on where you live. Most families off post are served by the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District (FNSBSD), which the National Center for Education Statistics identifies as the primary public school district in the region.
The FNSBSD operates a wide range of schools, including Lathrop High School and Tanana Middle School in Fairbanks proper, as well as Salcha Elementary for families farther out along the Richardson Highway. The district's website is k12northstar.org, where you can find school locators, calendars, and enrollment information.
Attendance boundaries depend on your specific address. Confirm the assigned school for any home before you commit. If your child has special needs, contact the district's Exceptional Student Services office early in your PCS planning — Alaska's size means specialty services can require more lead time to arrange.
