Eielson AFB, AK

Located about 25 miles southeast of Fairbanks, Eielson Air Force Base sits surrounded by the spruce forests, wetlands, and quiet lakes of Interior Alaska. It is a scenic and relatively secluded installation, with Moose Creek, Salcha, and the Christmas-themed town of North Pole serving as the closest neighboring communities. For anyone moving here, the location offers direct access to hunting, fishing, and trail systems, along with prime views of the northern lights throughout the winter.

The base was established in 1943 as Mile 26 Field during World War II and was later renamed in honor of Carl Ben Eielson, a famed Alaskan bush pilot and polar aviation pioneer. Over the following decades, the remote outpost developed into a vital strategic hub capable of handling extreme subarctic conditions. Modern neighborhoods, schools, and winter-ready community facilities grew alongside the flight line to support service members and their families year-round.

Today, Eielson hosts the 354th Fighter Wing, the Alaska Air National Guard’s 168th Wing, and large-scale multinational exercises like RED FLAG-Alaska. Daily life on base feels like living in a self-contained small town, complete with its own grocery store, medical clinic, schools, and indoor recreation options. The extreme cold and dark winters take some preparation, but the tight-knit military community and nearby amenities in North Pole and Fairbanks help newcomers settle in comfortably.