Alaska is home to over 30,000 active-duty service members and their families, playing a vital role in national defense and Arctic security. Due to its strategic location, the military presence in Alaska helps protect U.S. interests and allies in the Arctic Region.
The state has eight major military installations, each supporting various branches of the U.S. Armed Forces.
List of Military Bases in Alaska
- Eielson Air Force Base
- Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER)
- Clear Space Force Station
- Fort Wainwright
- Fort Greely
- Coast Guard Base Kodiak
- Marine Safety Unit Valdez
- USCG Sector Juneau
Looking for Air Force Bases Only?
If your orders name an Air Force unit, our guide to Air Force bases in Alaska covers JBER, Eielson and Clear Space Force Station in one place, with 2026 housing allowance rates for Anchorage and Fairbanks.
1. Eielson Air Force Base
Location: Fairbanks, AK Mission: Fighter jet operations and Arctic air defense
Established in 1943, Eielson Air Force Base was initially used for pilot training during World War II. Today, it is home to the 354th Fighter Wing, which operates:
- F-35A Lightning II fighter jets
- Alaska Air National Guard’s 168th Wing, flying C-130H Hercules cargo aircraft
The base also hosts events like the Arctic Thunder Airshow.
2. Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER)
Location: Anchorage, AK Mission: Largest military installation in Alaska, supporting multiple branches
Formed in 2010 from the merger of Elmendorf Air Force Base and Fort Richardson, JBER houses over 50,000 personnel and includes:
- 673rd Air Base Wing
- 3rd Wing (Air Force)
- 176th Wing (Alaska Air National Guard)
- 2nd Brigade, 11th Airborne Division (Army)
- 477th Fighter Group & 611th Air Operations Center
JBER is a critical hub for air defense, infantry training, and Arctic operations.
Visit Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson
3. Clear Space Force Station
Location: Clear, AK Mission: Space surveillance and missile defense
Originally established in 1957 as a radar station for early ballistic missile warning, Clear Space Force Station is now part of the Space Surveillance Network (SSN).
- Monitors space objects and potential threats
- Supports missile defense and early warning systems
- Houses the Joint Tactical Space Support (JTSS) element
Clear SFS is a key ground-based radar station supporting global space defense efforts.
Visit Clear Space Force Station
4. Fort Wainwright
Location: Fairbanks, AK Mission: Arctic training for U.S. Army forces
Originally established as Ladd Field, it was renamed Fort Wainwright in 1961 in honor of General Jonathan M. Wainwright, a Medal of Honor recipient.
Fort Wainwright is home to:
- 1st Brigade, 11th Airborne Division
- U.S. Army Alaska Command (USARAK)
Its Arctic environment provides a challenging and realistic training setting for soldiers operating in extreme conditions.
Visit Fort Wainwright
5. Fort Greely
Location: Southeast of Fairbanks, AK Mission: Missile defense and extreme weather testing
Fort Greely is critical to U.S. missile defense, housing:
- Ground-Based Midcourse Defense (GMD) system – Protects against intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs)
- Cold Regions Test Center (CRTC) – Tests military equipment and technology in Arctic conditions
Fort Greely plays a vital role in national security by ensuring missile defense readiness.
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Visit Fort Greely
6. Coast Guard Base Kodiak
Location: Kodiak, AK Mission: Largest Coast Guard base in the Pacific
Coast Guard Base Kodiak supports over 2,000 personnel and is home to:
- Air Station Kodiak – One of the busiest air stations in the Coast Guard
- HC-130H Hercules, MH-60T Jayhawk, and MH-65D Dolphin aircraft
Primary Missions:
- Search and rescue operations
- Maritime law enforcement
- Environmental protection across the Pacific Ocean**
Visit Coast Guard Base Kodiak
7. Marine Safety Unit (MSU) Valdez
Location: Valdez, AK Mission: Maritime safety for Prince William Sound and Trans-Alaska Pipeline
MSU Valdez ensures the safety of shipping routes and oil tankers, managing:
- Search and rescue missions
- Oil spill response
- Coast Guard security patrols
MSU Valdez is critical in environmental protection and disaster response for Alaska’s coastline.
Visit MSU Valdez
8. USCG Sector Juneau
Location: Juneau, AK Mission: Maritime security and coastal defense
Sector Juneau is a multi-mission unit overseeing Southeast Alaska’s waterways. It includes:
- Cutters, small boat stations, and air stations
- Aids to Navigation Teams
- Marine Safety Detachments
Sector Juneau ensures safe maritime operations across the region.
Visit USCG Sector Juneau
Moving to Alaska? We Can Help!
If you're PCSing to Alaska, our VeteranPCS agents and lenders can assist with:
- Finding a military-friendly real estate agent
- Navigating the VA Loan process
- Exploring housing options near Alaska military installations
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We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe anytime.Plan Your PCS to Alaska
Where you land shapes the whole move. If your orders send you to Anchorage, start with our PCS to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson guide. Fairbanks-bound families can read our PCS to Fort Wainwright guide and our PCS to Eielson Air Force Base guide. To keep the move on track, work through our ultimate PCS checklist and timeline, and if you plan to buy, learn about the benefits of a VA loan and check the Alaska veteran property tax exemptions you may qualify for.
When you are ready for a local read on a specific base or neighborhood, you can ask a VeteranPCS agent in Alaska for current listings and prices.
Know another family with orders to Alaska? Share this guide with your military network so they can plan their move too.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. How many military bases are in Alaska?
Alaska has eight major military installations across the Army, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard, supporting more than 30,000 active-duty service members.
2. What Army bases are in Alaska?
Fort Wainwright (Fairbanks) and Fort Greely (southeast of Fairbanks) are the state's Army posts. Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage also hosts an Army airborne brigade alongside its Air Force units.
3. What Air Force bases are in Alaska?
Eielson Air Force Base near Fairbanks flies the F-35A, and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage is the state's largest installation and its main Air Force hub.
