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Fort Wainwright, Alaska

Joe Wallace

Fort Wainwright, founded in the North Star Borough of Alaska, is closest to Fairbanks. The area is home to about 100,000 residents, almost 7,000 of whom are active-duty service members stationed at Fort Wainwright. The site also employs over 2,000 civilians and provides for over 10,000 service member family members.

The area near Fairbanks experiences extreme weather, ranging from 90 to -65 degrees throughout the course of the year, allowing the testing of war aircraft in extreme conditions, but requiring stamina for living conditions. The location and weather, however, offer unique natural scenery and wildlife and the opportunity for outdoor recreation including fishing, camping and outdoor sports.

Fairbanks Fast Facts

USAG Wainwright is closest in proximity to Fairbanks, Alaska, an area abundant in natural recreational areas. Locals enjoy hiking and outdoor exploration most of the year, taking extra precautions when the weather is extreme. Most residents of the area are families ranging from 20 to 40 years of age whose income is around $69,000 who live in homes averaging $200,000 to $299,000 in value.

Nearby natural and historic attractions and activities include but are not limited to:

• James Dalton Highway
• Aurora Ice Museum
• Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum
• Creamer’s Field Waterfowl Refuge
• Pioneer Park

USAG Wainwright Temporary Lodging

Temporary lodging in the area of Fort Wainwright can book up fast, especially during the summer months when many tourists flood the area, requiring reservations far in advance in the U.S. Army Alaska Lodging. Most make reservations at Holiday Inn Express at building 3402 at Fort Wainwright as soon as they have their change of station or travel orders. This site has standard amenities and a free hot breakfast. For reservations at Holiday Inn Express on base, call (907) 370-0999.

Make sure to get your TLA authorization as soon as possible from your date of arrival within 5 days. Evidence of  actively searching for housing must be provided in order to have the 10 day increments approved. The expectation is to have secured housing within 60 days of arrival, preferably as soon as possible. For help in securing housing, call the housing office at (907) 353-4237.

Moving To USAG Wainwright

Upon arrival at USAG Wainwright, many newcomers may need help with delivery of their home goods and finding storage. Some local options are included below but not limited to:

Storage

Blue Moose Storage
1015 30th Ave

Alaska Mini Storage
1010 Wembley Ave

Fountainhead Warm Storage
1900 Marika Rd

USAG Wainwright Child Care

On site at USAG Wainwright, there are currently two Child Development Centers offering care for children ages six weeks old to five years old. The Child Development I Center is open Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Child Development II is open Monday through Friday 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Child Development Center (CDC) I
4024 600th Street
Building 4024
Fort Wainwright, AK 99703
(907) 361-4190

Child Development Center (CDC) II
4176 600th Street
Building 4176
Fort Wainwright, AK 99703
(907) 361-9056

For children ages five years to twelve years old, or school-aged children, the School Age Care Center offers before and after school care as well as camps with income-based fees. Hourly care is also available when space allows with advance reservations. Located in Building 4166 on Neely Road, the School Age Center can be reached at (907) 361-7394.

To visit the Family Care Center in person, head to Building 1045 on Gaffney Road and find suites 12-13 Monday through Friday during regular business hours. They can also be reached by phone at (907) 353-7595.

To register for any child care service and option, families should provide current health records including immunization records, any information regarding children’s medications as well as proof of income to determine rates.

USAG Wainwright Check-In and In-Processing

Before setting out for USAG Wainwright, make sure your permanent change of station orders are settled and that your authorization to travel the Alaska Highway are complete. It is not recommended to change travel plans once approved.

If family is accompanying you to base, you must have their travel plans, Exceptional Family Member screening approved beforehand with your sponsor as well as a list of all arriving family members’ names on your finalized orders.

When undergoing the process of approving family, your orders may say your family travel is deferred. If this is the case, you must come alone to begin your in-processing. Your family will stay and complete the Exceptional Family Member screening process where they are and wait until they are approved before departing to meet you at Fort Wainwright.

In-coming service members must report to the Welcome Center in Building 3401 on Santiago Avenue for in-processing upon arrival so that the Military personnel Division can attend to getting you situated. The in-processing time is about five days. Any leave time must be approved. For more information about the check-in and in-processing procedure or for questions, please call (907) 353-4311.

USAG Wainwright Services

Commissary/Shoppette

(North Post) Building 1021
Marks Road
Fort Wainwright, AK 99703
(907) 356-1133

Commissary/Shoppette (Gas Station)

Bldg 4058 Gaffney Rd
Fort Wainwright, AK 99703
(907) 356-1272

Exchange

AAFES/PX
3703B Neely Road
Building 3703B
Fort Wainwright, AK 99703
(907) 356-1357

Gym

Melaven Gym
Building 3452, Santiago Avenue
Fort Wainwright, AK 99703
(907) 353-1994

Medical Care

Troop Medical Clinic (Kamish Clinic)
3406 Alder Avenue
Fort Wainwright, AK 99703
(907) 353-1433

Bassett Army Community Hospital
Building 4076
Neely and 10th Street
Fort Wainwright, AK 99703
(907) 361-5069

ID Card Section/DEERS

3401 Santiago Avenue
Fort Wainwright, AK 99703
(907) 353-2195

Fairbanks Local Services

Auto Repair

Right Choice Auto Repair
602 E. Steese Hwy N

Frontline Automotive
1400 University Ave S.

Glacier Garage Auto Service & Repair
3775 S. Cushman St, Ste B

Grocery Stores

Safeway
3627 Airport Way

Fred Meyer
3755 Airport Way

Co-op Market Grocery & Deli
526 Gaffney Rd

Hospital

Fairbanks Memorial Hospital
1650 Cowles St

Retail

Bentley Mall
32 College Rd

Gavora Mall
250 3rd St

Big Ray’s
3230 Airport Way

USAG Wainwright Housing

Housing at Fort Wainwright is done through North Haven Communities with over 1,800 housing units on post in this privatized community. The community has easy access to schools, commissaries, gyms, CDCs and other amenities. Residents may have up to two approved pets.

Waiting list times for housing can vary, so it is recommended to seek housing or a place on the waiting list as soon as orders are approved. To be placed on the waiting list or for questions, contact NHC at (907) 356-7000.

Single service members will be placed in one  of the 29 Army Barracks under the unaccompanied personnel section. Unaccompanied service members must follow the in-processing protocol with the Housing Services Office before looking for leasing for housing and will be housed temporarily at the interim barracks in building 3401.

The Unaccompanied Housing sector of Housing Services is available to call at (907) 353-4171.

Housing Services Office

3401 Santiago Avenue
Building 3401 Santiago Avenue, First Floor
Fort Wainwright, AK 99703
(907) 353-4237

North Haven Communities Privatized Housing
3401 Santiago Avenue
Building 3401, Santiago Avenue on the first floor
Fort Wainwright, AK 99703
(907) 356-7000

Related: Basic Allowance for Housing Calculator

USAG Wainwright Local Spouse Employment Resources

To help service members who are retiring and spouses of active duty service members find adequate employment, Fort Wainwright has an Employment Readiness Program. This program is designed to offer career counseling and training for quick employment in the fast-growing city of Fairbanks.

Those seeking employment must have a valid ID and be able to provide employment history. If the military spouse had to resign to accompany their service member spouse, unemployment benefits may apply.

For more information or questions about how the ACS Employment Readiness Program can help, call ( 907) 353-4117.

Fairbanks Local Schools and Universities

School aged children living on or off base at Fort Wainwright will attend North Star Public Schools. Those who live two miles away from their local school can seek bus transportation.

All enrolling students must have in hand a birth certificate, immunization record and transcripts of any previous education. To learn more, contact the Fort Wainwright School Liaison at (907) 361-9377 or contact the North Star Public School District.

Schools in the area include but are not limited to:

• Anderson (907) 372-2167
• Arctic Light (907) 356-2038
• Badger Road (907) 488-0134
• Denali (907) 452-2456
• Pearl Creek (907) 479-4234
• Barnette Magnet (K-8) (907) 456-6072
• Hutchinson High (907) 479-2261

For those looking for higher education options, inquire with the Education Center at Fort Wainwright, which has a menu of educational programs for multiple degree levels from colleges and universities that serve service members and families in the Armed Forces worldwide.

The institutions that offer classes on post are:

• University of Alaska Fairbanks   (907) 356-3826
• Wayland Baptist University   (907) 356-2403

USAG Wainwright Mission and Units

Founded in 1939, with the intention to put aircraft to the test in severe arctic conditions, the establishment was restructured and named after WWII General Jonathan M. Wainwright in 1961 and has since provided protection and innovation to war-worthy aircraft, built and trained to serve in any conditions. Major Units Stationed at USAG Wainwright include:

• 1/11 IBCT
• 17th CSSB
• 1984th US Army Hospital (Reserve)
• 1st Attack Battalion, 25th Combat Aviation Battalion
• Arctic Angels
• Arctic Aviation Command
• Arctic Bite
• Arctic Guardians
• Arctic Medic
• Automatic
• Blackhawks
• Bobcats
• Cold Regions Research & Engineering Lab
• Detachment 1
• Dreadnought
• Flying Dragons
• Garrison and Support Garrison Commander’s Office
• Kamish Troop Clinic
• Kodiaks
• Legion
• Military Pay and Defense
• Military Personnel Division
• Northern Warfare Training Center
• Opahey
• Reserve Center,B Company, 411th ENG Unit
• Staff Duty
• Veterinary Clinic
• Yeti

Military Bases and VA Facilities in Alaska

Find a listing of Alaska military bases, as well as VA resources and veteran facilities in the state.  If you are traveling to Alaska on PCS orders, look up the BAH in your new duty location using our BAH Calculator.

You can also look up veteran benefits offered by the State of Alaska

PCSing to Alaska

If you are making a permanent change of station move to Alaska, know that depending on where you are assigned, you may have to prepare for extreme cold in the winter months. DoD sources recommend you have your vehicle winterized, have an emergency kit, and have your vehicle fitted with an engine block heater due to the extreme weather conditions in some parts of the state.

Joint Bases in Alaska

• Joint Base Elmendorf – Richardson JBER

Air Force Bases in Alaska (OCONUS)

• Eielson AFB
• USAG Alaska, Greely
• USAG Alaska, Wainwright

Coast Guard Bases in Alaska

• US Coast Guard Base Ketchikan
• USCG Base Kodiak

Get more info on VA benefits for veterans, retirees, separating service members, spouses, dependents, and disabled veterans. Learn more about the GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon program, monthly housing allowances, VA loans, and TRICARE.

Did you know? Alaska offers benefits for military members and their families, including military credit toward state retirement, property tax exemptions, state employment preferences, and tuition assistance. Learn more at the Alaska State Office of Veterans Affairs.

VA Facilities in Alaska

Do you need to locate a VA clinic, Vet Center, or other VA facility in the State of Alaska? The list below has addresses and contact phone numbers for VA clinics and other sites within the state.

Colonel Mary Louise Rasmuson Campus of the Alaska VA Healthcare System

1201 North Muldoon Road
Anchorage, AK 99504-6104
888-353-7574
Mental health care: 907-257-4854

VA Health Clinic Locations

Elmendorf-Richardson VA Clinic5955 Zeamer Avenue, 673rd Medical Group, Building 673

Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson,
AK 99506-3702
907-257-4700

Fairbanks VA Clinic

2555 Phillips Field Road
Fairbanks, AK 99709-3933
907-328-1750
Mental health care: 907-361-6370

Homer VA Clinic

4141 Pennock Street
Homer, AK 99603-7223
888-353-7574

Juneau VA Clinic

709 West 9th Street
Federal Building, Suite 150
Juneau, AK 99801-1807
888-353-7574

Mat-Su VA Clinic

865 North Seward Meridian Parkway
Suite 105
Wasilla, AK 99654-7241
888-353-7574
Mental health care: 907-631-3100

Soldotna VA Clinic

237 West Rockwell Avenue
Soldotna, AK 99669-7412
888-353-7574
Mental health care: 907-420-3219

Alaska VA Vet Centers

Anchorage Vet Center

4400 Business Park Boulevard
Anchorage, AK 99503
907-563-6966

Fairbanks Vet Center

751 Old Richardson HWY
Fairbanks, AK 99701
907-456-4238

Please review our complete list of Military Bases by State

Other Military Bases in the Continental United States:

• Peterson Space Force Base
• Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona
• Luke Air Force Base, Arizona
• Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas
• Buckley Space Force Base, Colorado

Look up the BAH in your new duty location by searching for your zip code’s housing allowance using our BAH Calculator.