Installation Info: Zip Code: 99702, Area Code: 907, DSN: (317)377-1840
Those who find themselves based at Eielson Air Force Base can think of themselves as being only a few miles from Santa Claus. The Air Force base in northeastern Alaska is not only a child's dream come true but also a nature lover's paradise.
Besides a large po... (read more)
Installation Info: Zip Code: 99702, Area Code: 907, DSN: (317)377-1840
Those who find themselves based at Eielson Air Force Base can think of themselves as being only a few miles from Santa Claus. The Air Force base in northeastern Alaska is not only a child's dream come true but also a nature lover's paradise.
Besides a large population of wildlife, Eielson is home to the 354th Fighter Wing, Logistics, Medical, Operations and Support Group. It also houses the 168th Air Refueling Wing, Alaska Air National Guard, Det. 460, an Air Force Technical Applications Center, an Artic Survival School, Det. 166th Air Training Command and the 3rd Air Support Operations Squadron, Fort Wainwright. The 354th maintains, operates, and trains combat forces in close air support and interdiction missions in support of the war plans of three operational theaters. In addition, the wing operates and maintains PACAF's largest air-to-ground bombing range and conducts PACAF's premier large force exercise - COPE Thunder.
The base population is 2,735 active personnel and 1,007 civilians. Housing is provided through seven dormitories and 181 officer and 1,321 enlisted units (both of which are adequate). Eielson, which is about 20 miles southeast of Fairbanks, has a base housing office that all personnel are required to report into before signing a lease for off-base housing. To help its members enjoy the wealth of nature sights, Eielson has a natural resource office that provides information on hunting, trapping, fishing, canoeing or kayaking, hiking and cross-country skiing. There are 19,790 acres on Eielson, 15,754 of which are thickly wooded. Outdoors lovers can choose among 12 lakes, 80 ponds, 27.7 miles of freshwater streams, a 51-acre recreation area on Birch Lake and a campground.
Rare and interesting animals such as the mammoth brown grizzly, shrew, vole, red squirrel, beaver and moose are indigenous to the region, but don't worry -- bears are rarely observed. All schools on the base are run by the local school district. Eielson has a small clinic that handles outpatient care. The nearby Fort Wainwright-Bassett Army community hospital cares for patients, as does the Fairbanks Hospital and outpatient clinic 20 miles away.