Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson
Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Relocation Information
U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. William Banton- from JBER.mil
Welcome to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson
Located in Anchorage, Alaska, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER) is a winter wonderland set among snow-capped mountains, incredible wildlife, glaciers, and more.
Elmendorf Air Force Base and Fort Richardson combined in 2010, making the incredible force it is today. It’s home to the 673rd Air Base Wing as well as headquarters of Alaskan Command, 11th Air Force, US Army Alaska, Alaska National Guard, the 3rd Wing, the 176th Wing, and the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, the 477th Fighter Group, and more than 60 other mission partners ready to deploy and provide support when needed.
JBER is home to over 40,000 service members, their families, and retirees. The surrounding community is very military-friendly.
Photo by Anthony Cox on Unsplash
Frequently Asked Questions About Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson
1. How big is Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson?
Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson is approximately 64,213 acres — big! And its community reflects that. With so many service members, families, and retirees in the area, the military community is alive and welcomed here.
2. Is Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson considered overseas?
Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson and other military installations in Alaska are technically OCONUS (outside the continental U.S.). Military families here qualify for COLA (overseas cost of living allowance) to help offset the higher costs of living.
Photo by Senior Airman Jonathan Valdes Montijo via JBER
Total force integration — U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptors, E-3 Sentrys, C-17 Globemaster IIIs, C-130J Hercules and C-12F Hurons participate in a close formation taxi
known as an elephant walk, while a Globemaster III flies over the formation at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, May 5, 2020.
3. What planes are at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson?
Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson has a variety of aircraft, including the fighter jets F-22 Raptor and F-15 Eagle and transport aircraft like the C-12, C-17, and E-3 AWACS.
4. How far is Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson from Anchorage?
Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson is located within Anchorage city limits. As far as proximity to well-known Anchorage sites, it’s about 15 miles from the Anchorage International Airport, about seven miles from the University of Alaska Anchorage, and 13 miles to the Alaska Zoo. Most attractions and outings are within a 30-minute drive from the base.
5. What is the zip code for Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson?
JBER's zip codes are 99505 and 99506.
6. What is the BAH for Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson?
The BAH for Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson ranges from $2,040 for E-1 to $3,069 for E-9 with dependents and $2,460 for O-1 to $3,777 for O-7 with dependents. See housing section for more info.
Base Location and Information
Photo by shopmye?xchange.com
Alaska's Interstate Highway 1 lies alongside JBER. North of the base, via Highway 1N, are the communities of Eagle River, Chugiak and Palmer. Other bases in Alaska include Eielson AFB, Fort Greely, Fort Wainwright, Coast Guard Base Kodiak, Clear Air Force Station, and more.
Alaska is on many people’s travel bucket list, so settle in for the assignment of a lifetime! There will be so much to do and see during your time at JBER. You’ll witness moose, bears, and whales going about their day and unforgettable views as you explore. Hiking, glacier cruises, flightseeing, and the Alyeska tramway are some of the most fun ways to see everything you can see. This unique duty station is a dream for outdoor adventurers.
And yes, what you’ve heard is true. Between March and September, the days are longer. The sun barely sets — it’s called the midnight sun. But it’s contrasted with winter months when the northern lights take over the sky, an unforgettable sight.
Arrival Lodging
Photo by DODLodging
The Air Force Inns handles arrival lodging at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. Offering a variety of guest rooms, business suites, and a temporary lodging facility, along with a few pet-friendly rooms, the Inns provide a good place to rest while you get your feet under you.
Contact: (907) 552-2454
Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Housing
Photo by Aurora Military Housing
Many military families moving to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson seek out military housing. With communities spread across the installation, there’s a sense of community. However, it often means waiting on the list to get in.
Aurora Military Housing privatizes and manages military housing. It offers 19 neighborhoods on base or post. Properties include utilities, appliances, discounted TV, community playgrounds, and more.
Contact: (907) 753-1023
For more information, check in with the Military Housing Office.
Military Housing Map by Aurora Military Housing
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Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Off-Base Housing
View homes for sale and houses for rent near Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson: Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Homes
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Image from Canva
Families looking to live off base settle in either Anchorage or a little further north in Eagle River.
Base Search
City Search
Moose is checking out downtown Anchorage. Image from Canva.
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JBER BAH
The Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is a U.S. based allowance determined by geographic duty location, pay grade, and dependency status. It provides uniformed service members compensation based on housing costs in local civilian housing markets when government quarters are not provided. Learn more about your Basic Allowance for Housing.
Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson is near Anchorage with many options to buy or rent. The cost of living in Alaska is higher than much of the U.S. Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson BAH is close to the cost of living in the area. Some sample JBER BAH rates for zip code 99505:
- E-1 with dependents: $2,040
- E-1 without dependents: $1,530
- E-9 with dependents: $3,069
- E-9 without dependents: $2,301
- O-1 with dependents: $2,460
- O-1 without dependents: $1,845
- O-7 with dependents: $3,777
- O-7 without dependents: $2,973
Area Weather & Climate
Northern lights Photo by Image Editor on Flickr
Anchorage is home to it all: fair weather, sunny summers filled with breathtaking hikes, mornings spent fishing Otter Lake, camping in the wilderness, and more.
Winter months lay blankets of snow on the ground. Not only does the heavy snowfall create an adventure of its own, but it’s these months, September through April, that the Northern Lights put on a show for Anchorage.
Aside from staying warm, the largest threat (naturally speaking) is earthquakes. While you’ll likely feel a few during your time at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (some result in minutes of shaking at a time), you’ll want to be aware of the possibility of their effect — landslides. Learn about landslide preparedness at USGS.
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Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Area Schools
Image from Canva
There are five elementary schools located on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. They fall within the Anchorage School District, as does the area surrounding the base.
Click here to view boundary maps and area elementary, middle, and high schools.
Families can find the area’s favorite private schools on Niche and the Private School Review. Homeschoolers should follow the guidelines provided by the Alaska Department of Education. There are many resources and support groups available in the Anchorage area.
Support for Military and Families
Photo by Paxson Woebler on Unsplash
During your time at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, you may choose to embrace the outdoors like the locals do. The area is known for gorgeous hikes, fishing, kayaking, or sleeping under the bright Alaskan stars. The best part? These outdoor adventures are accessible year-round. Yep, sunshine or snow, you’ll find the community taking deep breaths of fresh air and taking full advantage of the longer days and mild weather of the spring and summer months.
You don’t even have to leave base to access Alaska's beauty. Lake Otter and the Black Spruce and Fam Camp campgrounds are within the gates, just minutes from on-base housing. Connect with JBER’s Outdoor Rec Center for more info and rentals.
During the winter months, explore nearby glaciers or participate in snowy outdoor activities like skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling and more. Check with JBER Outdoor Rec, as they offer activities such as guided snow machine trips through Denali State Park.
Regarding military spouse employment, you’ll find that Ted Stevens International Airport, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Providence Alaska Medical Center & Hospital System, and the University of Alaska Anchorage are among the top employers.
Some helpful links:
More Area Info
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Base Address:
8535 Wewak Drive
Elmendorf AFB
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99506-2760