Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER), strategically located adjacent to Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city, is a premier joint military installation critical to U.S. interests in the Pacific and Arctic regions. Formed in 2010 by merging Elmendorf Air Force Base and the U.S. Army’s Fort Richardson, JBER combines air combat power with rapidly deployable ground forces. Its northern location provides unparalleled strategic access and serves as a vital hub for power projection, humanitarian assistance, and homeland defense.

The 673d Air Base Wing, an Air Force-led organization, serves as the host unit, providing installation support services across the vast joint base for both Air Force and Army mission partners. The Air Force component, often referred to as JBER-Elmendorf, is anchored by the 3rd Wing (Pacific Air Forces), which operates and maintains F-22 Raptor stealth fighters, C-17 Globemaster III strategic airlifters, and E-3 Sentry AWACS aircraft. The Alaska Air National Guard’s 176th Wing also contributes significantly with C-17, HC-130, and HH-60 assets.

On the Army side, JBER-Richardson is home to the U.S. Army Alaska headquarters and the 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division – the “Spartan Brigade.” This airborne infantry unit maintains high readiness for rapid deployment worldwide, specializing in Arctic and mountainous environments. The co-location of these powerful Air Force and Army units creates unique opportunities for joint training and operations, enhancing overall combat capability.

Personnel and families stationed at JBER experience the unique lifestyle offered by Southcentral Alaska, with abundant outdoor recreation opportunities right outside the gate, from hiking and fishing in the summer to skiing and Northern Lights viewing in the winter. JBER maintains a strong relationship with the Anchorage community, serving as a major employer and contributing significantly to the state’s economy while standing ready to defend U.S. interests at home and abroad.