--- title: What Military Bases are in Alaska? slug: what-military-bases-are-in-alaska description: >- All 8 Alaska military bases, from JBER to Eielson AFB and Fort Wainwright, plus PCS housing tips, VA-loan guidance, and veteran-friendly agents for your move. publishedAt: '2023-09-26T12:00:00.000Z' updatedAt: '2026-07-19T00:00:00.000Z' author: VeteranPCS categories: - U.S. Military Bases canonical: 'https://www.veteranpcs.com/blog/what-military-bases-are-in-alaska' componentSlug: us-military-bases stateSlug: alaska --- # What Military Bases are in Alaska? 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** ## **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**. [Visit Eielson Air Force Base](https://www.eielson.af.mil/) ## **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**. 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** ## 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](/blog/pcs-to-joint-base-elmendorf-richardson-anchorage-2026-guide). Fairbanks-bound families can read our [PCS to Fort Wainwright guide](/blog/pcs-to-fort-wainwright-fairbanks-2026-guide) and our [PCS to Eielson Air Force Base guide](/blog/pcs-to-eielson-afb-fairbanks-2026-guide). To keep the move on track, work through our [ultimate PCS checklist and timeline](/blog/the-ultimate-pcs-checklist-and-timeline-for-active-duty-military-personnel), and if you plan to buy, learn about [the benefits of a VA loan](/blog/what-are-the-benefits-of-a-va-loan) and check the [Alaska veteran property tax exemptions](/blog/alaska-veteran-property-tax-exemptions-2026) 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.