The largest military station in Alaska has the mission to protect the homeland by deterring aggression and ensuring the forces have mission readiness when called to fight. Critical to all domain capabilities, the Elmendorf Air Force Base houses thousands of military personnel and their families. The Anchorage School District operates a special education center for residents living at the base. This article explores five fast facts about the largest military station in the state.
1
More than 800 buildings
The buildings occupy an area of 13,130 square acres
- Two runways
- More than 150 miles of roads
- More than 6,000 military personnel
- More than 10,000 military population (including families)
- 1,644 family housing units
The largest military installation in Alaska is home to 800 buildings covering an area of over 13,000 square acres. It is a city in and of itself, housing a community of thousands of military personnel, their families, retirees, and associates. Militants from all branches of the United States and Canadian armed forces have assignments in Elmendorf.
Photo: USAF
Approximately one-third of the military personnel and their families reside in Elmendorf’s family housing units, while others reside off base. Thousands of civilians work at Elmendorf station, making it a population of over 25,000 people.
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2
A gigantic payroll
Annual payroll is over $316 million
- Total annual economic impact: $500 million
- Construction and servicing expenditure: $70 million a year
- Annual payroll: $316 million
There is no lack of budget allocations and expenditures when operating this military station. Established in June 1940 with the help of 25 local men near Whitney Station in North Anchorage, this facility has grown into a massive military society serving the state of Alaska and beyond.
According to Pacific Air Forces,
“Elmendorf’s annual payroll, paid to military and civilian employees, is more than $316 million. In addition, the Air Force spends about $70 million for construction and service contracts, and other expenditures in the local economy. The base’s total economic impact on the Anchorage vicinity is nearly $500 million a year.”
3
A primary logistics center and staging area
Served a vital role during World War II
- 5th Air Force
- 7th Air Force
- 11th Air Force
- U.S. Air Force Band of the Pacific – Hawaii
- U.S. Air Force Band of the Pacific – Asia
The Elmendorf station served as a primary logistics center and staging area during the Pearl Harbor attacks in 1941. While still new, the United States military employed over 3,000 men, making it the essential defense base for the US forces. In early 1942, the Alaskan Air Force was redesignated as the 11th Air Force.
The station served as the front line point as the US forces began their campaigns to retake the Aleutians, lasting over a year. The military personnel at Elmendorf faced some of the worst weather conditions during the campaign. At the end of World War II, the force was redesignated the Alaskan Air Command.
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4
The 3rd Wing
The largest and principal organization in the 11th Air Force
- Over 6,700 personnel
- A large number of military aircraft
- McDonnell Douglas F-15C and F-15E
- Boeing E-3 Sentry
- Lockheed C-130 Hercules
- Beechcraft C-12 Huron
The 3rd Wing is responsible for training over 6,700 personnel with an equipment of several types of fighter, transport, and medical evacuation aircraft. The 3rd uses Beechcraft C-12 Huron, used for evacuation of personnel during combat. According to the Air Force,
Photo: USAF
“The C-12J Huron is a twin turboprop aircraft used for cargo and passenger airlift. The aircraft is a military version of the Raytheon 1900C regional airliner. In addition to providing cargo and passenger airlift, the aircraft is capable of transporting two litter or ten ambulatory patients during aeromedical evacuations.”
The 3rd wing also provides air superiority, tactical airlift, combat support for global missions, and close air support to ground forces.
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5
The major training missions
C-130 Hercules and C-12 Huron
- Airborne training for the Army’s 6th Infantry Division (Light)
- Airlift support for Eleventh Air Force
The Elmendorf Air Force Base supports major training missions using its fleet of C-130 Hercules and C-12 Huron aircraft. The two transport aircraft are capable of carrying personnel, cargo, and other specialized equipment to distances. The Base states that the Airlift support for the Eleventh Air Force includes “logistics support, fighter deployment support, resupply of remote long-range radar sites, and special assignment airlift missions for Alaskan and Canadian Distant Early Warning stations.”
Photo: Julia Lebens | USAF
Moreover, multiple fighter squadrons, including the 12th “Dirty Dozen,” 19th “Gamecocks,” and the 90th “Pair-o-Dice;” are trained for active engagement with the enemy and offensive and defensive capacities.
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