Joint Base Elmendorf - Richardson JBER  In-depth Overview

The mission at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson is to support and defend U.S. interests in the Pacific and around the world by providing units capable of worldwide air power projection and to meet Pacific Command's theater staging and throughput requirements.

JBER also provides early entry battle command capability and acts as the Joint Force Land Component Commander for homeland defense and civil support in Alaska. It is prepared to deploy rapidly in the Pacific theater and elsewhere in support of contingency operations, Pacific Command objectives and U.S. national interests. 

Today, JBER continues to grow in importance to US National Security due to our strategic location and complementary mix of military capabilities to include F-22 Raptors and E-3 Sentry AW ACS, Pacific Command's only airborne brigade combat team, the C-17 Globemaster getting them to the fight, and HC-130 and HH-60 aircraft conducting search and rescue missions throughout the state and elsewhere during contingencies.

JBER's host unit is the 673d Air Base Wing; but we are also home to headquarters, Alaskan Command and 11th Air Force headquarters, US Army Alaska Headquarters, the Alaska National Guard, the 3rd Wing, the 176th Wing (ANG), the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, the 477th Fighter Group, and more than 60 other mission partners.

The military's long and important history in the Great Land began at the very moment Alaska became American soil, Oct. 18, 1867. Elements of the Army's 9th Infantry were on hand as the Russian Golden Eagle was lowered and the Stars and Stripes was raised in Sitka, which became headquarters for the U.S. Military District, Alaska. The military has had a presence, even if very small at times, ever since. Fort Richardson, named for Wilds P. Richardson, was built in 1940-1941 near Anchorage. Construction of the base began on June 8, 1940. The first Army Air Corps personnel arrived on Aug. 12, 1940, led by Maj. Everett S. Davis. On Nov. 12, 1940, the War Department formally designated the installation Fort Richardson. The air facilities and flying field on the post were named Elmendorf Field in honor of Capt. Hugh M. Elmendorf. In 1947 the Army planned to move its operations to a new site named Fort Richardson, adjacent to the WWII installation. The Air Force assumed control of the original Fort Richardson and re-named it Elmendorf Air Force Base. The two installations combined in October 2010 and became Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. For a more thorough history, visit: https://www.jber.jb.mil/Info/History/

JBER has over 30,000 Service Members, Civilians and Family members.

Local Area Population:

Total Anchorage/Mat-Su Economic Region = 401,848 (2019 Census)

• Anchorage = 293,531
• Matanuska-Susitna Borough = 108,317

Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER) is located in Southcentral, Alaska amid picturesque, majestic, snow-capped mountains, lakes, rivers and glaciers. The area abounds with wildlife. Many northern tier states such as Montana, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan have shorter but much colder winters than south central Alaska.

JBER is 2,090 miles north of Seattle, Washington, and 300 miles south of Fairbanks, Alaska. The Anchorage community has a military presence of over 42,000 people and accounts for more than 10 percent of the local population.  Alaska is a very military friendly state! Come prepared to be awed by this beautiful base, and state. There's nowhere else like Alaska!

Anchorage provides most of the conveniences of a large city.  There are greenbelts and parks throughout the city, and has recently been ranked as one of the BEST outdoor-living cities.  Access to dozens of activities for families: world-class fishing, skiing, snow-machining, ice skating, sledding, hiking, biking & rafting are just a stone's throw away.

Alaska is the ONLY state that does not collect state sales taxes OR levy an individual income tax.

Midnight sun gives Alaskans long days to enjoy summer.  You can expect highs in the 60s & 70s (and possibly a week or 2 in the low 80s).  During the weeks leading up to late June's summer solstice, the sun is above the horizon 18-21 hours/per day, creating opportunities for midnight hikes & fishing at 10pm as a typical Alaskan lifestyle. 

Anchorage actually has a warmer climate than other cold-weather cities like Chicago or Minneapolis because it's on the ocean.  The temperature is a "micro-climate" in Alaska-no matter where you are in the state, you are a 1-2 hour drive away in any direction resulting in a 30 degree temperature change.

JBER and the adjacent area, is considered a high cost area. The national average is 100 and Anchorage is at 137.1.

The Cost-of-Living Allowance, or COLA, is paid to Service Members to partially offset high costs when stationed overseas (including Alaska and Hawaii). COLA helps maintain purchasing power so you can purchase the same goods and services overseas as in CONUS. It does not reimburse expenses, but is designed to offset higher prices. It does not compensate for remoteness, hardship, or non-availability of goods and services.

Overseas COLA Calculator:  https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/site/colaCalc.cfm

The Richardson Visitor Control Center (VCC) will be closed nightly from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. starting 12 January 2022, until further notice.

During closure times:

• Boniface and Fort Richardson Gates will only issue emergency (24 hour) passes during VCC closure hours.

NOTE: During any hours the VCC is not open, our Defenders at the gate can issue a 24-hour pass on the spot. This will ensure you can at least get on base and get to the VCC during staffed hours if extended base access is required.

All other passes are required to be processed at the Richardson Visitor Center during business hours, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Contact the Base Access Office at 907-552-5665 with any questions or information on how to obtain a pass in advance.

For your awareness: When driving in and out of Anchorage, there is one road heading North (Glenn Hwy-Hwy 1) and one  road heading South (Seward Hwy-Hwy 1 & turns into Hwy 9 close to Seward).

Traveling by Airplane to Anchorage:  Due to COVID-19, testing and/or quarantine may be required. Please check the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport website for the most recent information before you book travel.

If you choose to fly here you, will fly into Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. There are two terminals, the South (Main) terminal and the North (International) terminal. Be sure your sponsor will meet you at the airport, otherwise you will have to hire a taxi from there to the base. There is no shuttle service from the airport to the base. Get a receipt for the taxi fare for travel voucher purposes.

If you are flying to Anchorage and do not have transportation to JBER you may stop in the Atwood Military Lounge, courtesy of the Armed Services YMCA 907-248-2535 to ask for directions/information. They are located in the South Terminal near Baggage Claim.

Taxi Service -- To take a taxi from the airport to JBER, the only taxi service with installation access is The Yellow Cab Co: 907-222-2255/907-222-2222.

Directions from Anchorage International Airport (approx. 30min)

• Exit airport on International Airport Road
• Left at C Street
• Right onto 6th Avenue (becomes the Glenn Hwy)
• Exit at JBER/Richardson Arctic Valley exit
• Left at the top of the ramp
• Proceed to the main gate (you'll need ID/vehicle tags/proof of insurance). Once through the gate, proceed straight ahead until 5th Street (2nd stoplight)-turn left.
• Right into Bldg 600 parking lot.
• Enter Bldg through center entrance
• In/Out Processing is the 2nd door on your left (1st door past Lodging Office, Room 101).

Air Force Specific: Directions from Anchorage International Airport (approx. 30min)

• Exit airport on International Airport Road
• Left at C Street
• Right onto 6th Avenue (becomes the Glenn Hwy)
• Exit at JBER Boniface exit
• Left at the top of the ramp
• Proceed to the main gate -turn right before the main gate & enter the Visitor Center where you can request base map and directions to Lodging office.
• At the Gate: (you'll need ID/vehicle tags/proof of insurance).

Traveling by Ferry & Driving from the Ferry:  Due to COVID-19, testing or a sworn statement of quarantine MAY be required before you are allowed to utilize the ferry system.  Please check The Alaska Marine Highway System & Ferry Information website before you make any plans to use the ferry.

If you are considering taking the Alaska Marine Highway System, contact your local Transportation Office for details. The Ferry boards in Bellingham, Washington and departs either Haines or Whittier, Alaska.

From Haines it is an additional 765 miles (roughly a 15 hour drive depending upon weather). If traveling from Haines, you will travel from Alaska into Canada and back into Alaska.

From Whittier, you will need to check the Whittier Tunnel schedule: http://www.dot.state.ak.us/creg/whittiertunnel/schedule.shtml. This is a unique experience, as you will be traveling through North America's longest controlled one lane tunnel with alternating train and vehicle use. Once you get through the tunnel, it is about a 1.5 hour drive (39 miles) to Anchorage-heading North on the Seward Hwy.

From Seward, AK you will drive North out of Seward on Alaska Highway 9 "Seward Hwy" (becoming Hwy 1) for approximately 130 miles.

You will need your orders, photo ID and birth certificates for your children. Effective January 31, 2008, U.S. and Canadian citizens need to present a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license, along with proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate or naturalization certificate. Due to State budget cuts in recent years, the Ferry has a limited travel schedule, and needs to be booked early (typically months in advance) to ensure slots are available.

Traveling through Canada/ALCAN:  Due to COVID-10, check with the Canada Border Services Agency before you plan any travel through Canada.  You can find updated information on their website at https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/services/covid/menu-eng.html, via phone at 1-800-461-9999, TTY 1-866-335-3237, or email at contact@cbsa.gc.ca

If you do the drive it will be a trip to remember - getting here is half the fun! Traveling the Alaska/Canadian (ALCAN) Highway, will be a journey lined with fantastic scenery. If you come in the winter, beware of changing weather. IT IS NOT RECOMMENDED TO DRIVE TO ALASKA DURING OCTOBER-MARCH due to severe weather conditions and even more limited access to food, emergency assistance, and gasoline outside the summer travel months. An atlas and current road maps with states, provinces and territories (The MILEPOST magazine is useful and available in several forms online) you are traveling through will make your trip to your new home in Anchorage a smooth one. Ensure that your orders state that you are authorized to travel the ALCAN. If you deviate from your travel plans your orders might have to be amended. You may not receive all your travel pay reimbursements as well. Any family members traveling with you need to have a valid passport going through Canada.

BE AWARE: towns are sparse through this drive especially in northern Canada and Alaska, so it is recommended anytime you see a gas station you'll want to fill up and have an additional gas tank filled up in case you run low. Also, cell phone service, food and emergency services will be limited through these areas. Plan accordingly-bring extra food and water with you as well as emergency kits for changing tires, etc. Many miles on this drive will be on dirt/gravel road, be prepared. Traveling through Canada

NOTE: Alcohol and cannabis related driving offenses (DWI & DUI) are criminal offenses in Canada.  US citizens with these offenses musk seek approval for rehabilitation from Canadian authorities before traveling to Canada, which requires several weeks or months process, please check Canada's CBSA website for details.

There is limited transportation available on JBER. 

The Armed Services YMCA has a shuttle available on JBER.  Typical Operating hours: 0700-1900 Monday-Friday.  Cost is $1.00 a ride for Active duty military & their dependents, and cost is $3.00 a ride for all others.  To schedule a ride, call 907-384-3733 (recommend scheduling a ride in advance to ensure availability).

Lyft and Uber are now available in Alaska. Please confirm the driver has base access prior to making reservation.

Army Specific:

Single Soldiers arriving at the Anchorage Airport can call In-Processing at 907-384-0425 for transportation to the Welcome Center.  If In-processing is unable to pick you up, you can use a taxi, Lyft, or Uber but please ask for a receipt as you can request reimbursement when you do the finance portion of your in-processing.

Airmen & Guardians:

Contact your sponsor or CSS upon arrival, regardless of mode of travel.

JBER Base Operators can be reached at the following numbers:

907-384-1110/ DSN: 317-384-1110 (Richardson side)

OR

907-552-1110/ DSN: 317-552-1110 (Elmendorf Side)

For the most up-to-date contact information for agencies on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, download the JBER Connect app available through the Apple App Store and Google Play.