Eielson Air Force Base: Difference between revisions

{{Use dmy dates|date=March 20132022}}

| name = Eielson Air Force Base

| ensign =

| ensign_size =

| native_name =

| partof = <!-- for elements within a larger site -->

| location =

| nearest_town = [[Fairbanks]], [[Alaska]]

| country = the [[United States of America]]

| image = File:F-16C 86-270 18th Aggressor Squadron.jpg

| alt = An F-16C Fighting Falcon from the 18th Aggressor Squadron flies over Eielson AFB in 2009. The base's largest hangar, known as the "Thunderdome," is visible in the bottom left of the image.

| caption = An [[General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon|F-16 Fighting Falcon]] from the [[18th Aggressor Squadron]] flies over Eielson AFB during 2009. The base's largest hangar, known as the "Thunderdome," is visible in the bottom left of the image.

| image2 = [[File:Pacific Air Forces.png|100px]]

| alt2 =

| caption2 =

| type = US Air Force Base

| coordinates = {{coord|64|39|56|N|147|06|05|W|region:US-AK|display=inline,title}}

| gridref =

| image_map =

| image_mapsize =

| image_map_alt =

| image_map_caption =

| pushpin_map = USA Alaska # North America # North Pacific

| pushpin_mapsize =

| pushpin_map_alt =

| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Alaska

| pushpin_relief = y

| pushpin_image =

| pushpin_label = Eielson AFB

| pushpin_label_position = top

| pushpin_mark = Roundel of the USAF.svg

| pushpin_marksize = 20

| ownership = [[United States Department of Defense|Department of Defense]]

| operator = [[United States Air Force|US Air Force]]

| controlledby = [[Pacific Air Forces]] (PACAF)

| open_to_public = <!-- for out of use sites/sites with museums etc -->

| site_other_label = <!-- for renaming "Other facilities" in infobox -->

| site_other = <!-- for other sorts of facilities – radar types etc -->

| site_area = <!-- area of site m2, km2 square mile etc -->

| code = <!--facility/installation code, applies to US -->

| built = {{Start date|1943}} (as Mile 26 Satellite Field, redesignated 1948 as Eielson AFB)

| used = 1943 – present <!--{{End date|1946}} -->

| builder =

| materials =

| height = <!-- height of tallest part, not above sea level -->

| length = <!-- for border fences or other DMZs -->

| fate = <!--changed from demolished parameter-->

| condition = Operational

| battles =

| current_commander = [[Colonel (United States)|Colonel]] DavidPaul JP. BerklandTownsend<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.eielson.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/2343633/colonelpaul-davidp-j-berklandtownsend/|title = Colonel DavidPaul JP. BerklandTownsend|access-date=16 July 2024|archive-date=10 April 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240410212235/https://www.eielson.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/2343633/paul-p-townsend/|url-status=live}}</ref>

| past_commanders = <!-- past notable commander(s) -->

| garrison = [[354th Fighter Wing]] (host)

| occupants = <!-- squadrons only -->

| designations =

| FAA = EIL

| TC =

| LID =

| GPS =

| WMO = 702650

| elevation = {{Convertconvert|167|m|0}}

| r1-number = 14/32

| r1-length = {{Convertconvert|4428.7|m|0}}

| r1-surface = [[concrete]]

| h1-number =

| h1-length = <!-- {{Convertconvert| |m|0}} -->

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| airfield_other_label = <!-- for renaming "Other facilities" in infobox -->

| airfield_other = <!-- for other sorts of airfield facilities -->

| footnotes = '''Source:''' [[Federal Aviation Administration]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://aeronav.faa.gov/d-tpp/2001/01729ad.pdf#nameddest=(EIL)|title=Airport Diagram – Eielson AFB (PAEI)|date=5 December 2019|website=Federal Aviation Administration|access-date=19 January 2020}}</ref>

Its host unit is the [[354th Fighter Wing]] (354 FW) assigned to the [[Eleventh Air Force]] of the [[Pacific Air Forces]]. The 354 FW's primary mission is to support [[Red Flag -– Alaska|RED FLAG-Alaska]], a series of [[Pacific Air Forces]] commander–directed field training exercises for U.S. Forces, joint offensive counter-air, interdiction, close-air support, and large force employment training in a simulated combat environment. These exercises are conducted on the Joint Pacific Alaskan Range Complex (JPARC) with air operations flown out of Eielson and its sister installation, [[Joint Base Elmendorf–Richardson]] (the former [[Elmendorf Air Force Base]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pacaf.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1211276/red-flag-alaska-begins/|access-date=26 January 2020|title=Red Flag-Alaska begins|date=9 June 2017 |archive-date=26 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200126100355/https://www.pacaf.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1211276/red-flag-alaska-begins/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>"Frequently Asked Questions -– Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex" https://www.jber.jb.mil/Portals/144/units/JPARC/PDF/JPARC-FAQ.pdf {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191201145223/https://www.jber.jb.mil/Portals/144/units/JPARC/PDF/JPARC-FAQ.pdf |date=1 December 2019 }} Published 2012-02-28.</ref>

Eielson projects to have 54 [[Lockheed Martin F-35s35 Lightning II]] combat aircraft assigned to the installation, of which the first two aircraft arrived on 21 April 21, 2020. The remaininglast 52of the aircraft arearrived forecastin toApril arrive2022.<ref asname=54f35s they>Amy areHudson produced[https://www.airandspaceforces.com/eielson-days-away-from-achieving-full-complement-of-f-35s/ through(13 DecemberApr 2021.2022) Eielson Days Away from Achieving Full Complement of F-35s]</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Eielson welcomescompletes F-35A Lightning II fleet |url=https://www.eielson.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/21591983001623/eielson-welcomescompletes-f-35a-lightning-ii-fleet/ |access-date=20202022-1005-2820 |website=Eielson Air Force Base |language=en-US}}</ref> The planes are to come with an estimated 3,500 personnel, to include airmen and their families as well as civilian personnel.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/military/trump-s-plan-pay-border-wall-air-force-funds-risks-n1054091|title=Trump's plan to pay for border wall with Air Force funds risks national security, report says|last=Kube|first=Courtney|workpublisher=NBC News|language=en|date=September 13, September 2019|access-date=2019-09-14|archive-date=15 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190915035116/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/military/trump-s-plan-pay-border-wall-air-force-funds-risks-n1054091|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II|F-35]] program will increaseincreases the number of military personnel at Eielson by aboutapproximately 50 percent%, which is a significant change for a base once on the brink of closure.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hanlon |first1=Tegan |title=The first F-35 jet is being tested at Eielson Air Force Base. The Fairbanks area is preparing for a population jump. About $550 million will be spent on construction and renovation projects for the F-35 program. The projects include renovating airmen's dormitories and building a new child care center. There will also be a new building to house a flight simulator and a new maintenance hangar. |url=https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/military/2017/11/12/the-first-f-35-jet-is-being-tested-at-eielson-air-force-base-the-fairbanks-area-is-preparing-for-a-population-jump/ |website=ADN |date=12 November 2017 |access-date=30 October 2018 |archive-date=31 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181031052718/https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/military/2017/11/12/the-first-f-35-jet-is-being-tested-at-eielson-air-force-base-the-fairbanks-area-is-preparing-for-a-population-jump/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 7 June 1943, the [[Western Defense Command]] ordered construction of a new airfield near present-day [[Fort Wainwright]], then a [[United States Army Air Forces|U.S. Army Air Force]] (USAAF) airfield named after Major [[Arthur K. Ladd]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.loc.gov/item/ak0068/|access-date=24 January 2020|title=Ladd Field, Fort Wainwright, Fairbanks, Fairbanks North Star Borough, AK|website=[[Library of Congress]] |archive-date=24 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200124211454/https://www.loc.gov/item/ak0068/|url-status=live}}</ref> Because of its hazard-free approaches and relatively flat terrain, surveyor reports indicated a site a little more than twenty-five25 miles southeast of [[Ladd Army Airfield]] to be the best in the vicinity for military aviation. The field became known as "Mile 26" because of its proximity to a [[United States Army Signal Corps|US Army Signal Corps]] telegraph station and a [[Richardson Highway]] milepost marker using the same designation.

A month later, contractors and civilian crews from Ladd Field started laying out the new airfield. Actual construction began on 25 August 1943. Crews built two parallel runways, {{convert|165|ft|m}} across and {{convert|6625|ft|m}} long. Other facilities included an operations building, housing for 108 officer and 330 enlisted personnel, and a ten-bed dispensary. The garrison and airfield totaled about {{convert|600|acre|km2}}. Completed on 17 October 1944, the 14-month project cost about eight-million dollars.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.themilitarystandard.com/afb/ak/eielson.php|access-date=24 January 2020|title=Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska|archive-date=14 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190814063801/http://www.themilitarystandard.com/afb/ak/eielson.php|url-status=live}}</ref>

Operational uses of Mile 26 were few. Ladd Field served as the debarkation point for the [[ALSIB|Alaska-Siberia Ferry Route]] of the [[Lend-Lease]] program and was the hub of activity. Lend-lease aircraft would occasionally land at Mile 26, but there are no records to indicateindicating any lend-lease aircraft ever used the airfield to take offdepart for the [[Soviet Union]]. Mile 26 closed when the war ended.

The base reopened in September 1946, once again as a satellite of Ladd Field. The first [[USAAF]] operational unit assigned to Eielson was the [[57th Wing|57th Fighter Group]], equipped successively with [[P-38 Lightning]]s, [[P-51 Mustang|P/F-51 Mustangs]], [[P-80 Shooting Star|F-80 Shooting Stars]], and [[F-94 Starfire]] aircraft. The 57th FG was inactivated on 13 April 1953.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.americanairmuseum.com/unit/4092|access-date=24 January 2020|title=57th Fighter Group|archive-date=24 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200124211127/http://www.americanairmuseum.com/unit/4092|url-status=live}}</ref> On 1 December 1947 [[Strategic Air Command]] [[B-29 Superfortress]] bombers arrived at '''Mile 26 Field''' with the deployment of the [[97th Air Mobility Wing|97th Bombardment Wing, Very Heavy]], from [[Salina Regional Airport|Smoky Hill Air Force Base]], [[Kansas]]. The wing reported to [[Fifteenth Air Force]], [[Strategic Air Command]] (SAC), although the Yukon Sector of the [[Alaskan Air Command]] controlled its operations. At the end of the Alaskan deployment the wing returned to Kansas on 12 March 1948.

A year later, however, Eielson moved from under the shadow of Ladd Field when the [[Alaskan Air Command]] assumed organizational control. Also in the fall of 1947, Colonel Jerome B. McCauley assumed duties as commander. The primary missions of Mile 26 were to support Arctic training for USAF tactical and strategic units, as well as defend the base itself.

Headquarters USAF General Order 2, dated 13 January 1948, redesignated Mile 26 as Eielson AFBAir Force Base. It was named for [[Carl Ben Eielson]], an Alaska aviation pioneer who was killed, along with his mechanic Earl Borland, in the crash of their [[Hamilton H-47|Hamilton H-45]] aircraft in 1929. Eielson and Borland were attempting a rescue flight to an icebound ship in the [[Bering Sea]] when they were killed. On 1 April 1948, the Eielson AFBAir Force Base Wing (Base Complement) was formed. The host-unit subsequently would be dubbed the Eielson AFBAir force Base Bomb Wing, and finally, in January 1949, the [[5010th Combat Support Group|5010th Wing]]. Colonel John L. Nedwed, the third commander of the base since it fell under Alaskan Air Command fifteen months before, became the first to head the 5010th.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nhwallofhonor.com/pages/textmcdanieledwinarthur1948.html|access-date=4 January 2020|title=Edwin Arthur McDaniel}}{{Dead link|date=March 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

For the next 34 years, the 5010th (alternately known as the Wing, Composite Wing, Air Base Wing, and lastly, Combat Support Group) served as host-unit at Eielson. Construction boomed at Eielson AFB during the 1950s. Many of the facilities still in useused today were built at that time, including Amber Hall, the Thunderdome, [[Base Exchange]], Gymnasium, Theater, some of the schools, and many of the dormitories.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.themilitarystandard.com/afb/ak/eielson.php|access-date=25 January 2020|title=Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska|archive-date=14 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190814063801/http://www.themilitarystandard.com/afb/ak/eielson.php|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eielson.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/382601/amber-halls-past-provides-answers-for-the-future/|access-date=12 August 2021|title=Amber Hall's past provides answers for the future|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210812222132/https://www.eielson.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/382601/amber-halls-past-provides-answers-for-the-future/|archive-date=12 August 2021}}</ref>

The [[720th Bombardment Squadron|720th Fighter-Bomber Squadron]], equipped with [[F-86 Sabre]]s, was deployed to Eielson during 1954–55. The 720th was a part of the [[450th Bombardment Wing|450th Fighter-Bomber Wing]] stationed at [[Foster Air Force Base|Foster AFB]], [[Texas]]. The 720th was replaced by the [[455th Flying Training Squadron|455th Fighter-Bomber Squadron]] (323d FBW), stationed at [[Grissom Air Reserve Base|Bunker Hill AFBAir Force Base]], Indiana.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnic.navy.mil/regions/cnrse/installations/nas_pensacola/about/tenant_commands/air_force/455_FTS.html|access-date=26 January 2020|title=455 Flying Training Squadron|archive-date=26 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200126135432/https://www.cnic.navy.mil/regions/cnrse/installations/nas_pensacola/about/tenant_commands/air_force/455_FTS.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[Air Defense Command]] deployed interceptors to Eielson during the 1960s. Det. 3, [[317th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron]] from [[Elmendorf AFB]]Air [[Alaska]]Force Base deployed [[F-102 Delta Dagger]]s and [[F-106 Delta Dart]]s to the base between 1960 and 1969.

During the height of the [[Cuban Missile Crisis]] of October 1962, Eielson AFB-based [[Lockheed U-2]] pilot Charles Maultsby was allegedly blinded by the [[Aurora|aurora borealis]] while collecting radiation from Soviet nuclear weapons tests over the [[North Pole]] and accidentally strayed {{convert|300 miles (480&nbsp;|mi|km)}} into Soviet airspace, into [[Chukotka Autonomous Okrug|Chukotka]]. Soviet [[Mikoyan|MiG]] interceptors were sent to intercept the plane before he was escorted back to U.S. territory by nuclear-armed [[Convair F-102 Delta Dagger|F-102]] interceptors.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Dobbs|first=Michael|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/608213334|title=One minute to midnight : Kennedy, Khrushchev, and Castro on the brink of nuclear war|date=2008|publisher=Alfred A. Knopf|isbn=978-0-307-26936-2|edition=1st |location=New York|oclc=608213334}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-07-03|title=Key Issues: Nuclear Weapons: Issues: Accidents: 20 Mishaps that Might Have Caused Nuclear War|url=http://www.nuclearfiles.org/menu/key-issues/nuclear-weapons/issues/accidents/20-mishaps-maybe-caused-nuclear-war.htm|access-date=2021-09-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200703203219/http://www.nuclearfiles.org/menu/key-issues/nuclear-weapons/issues/accidents/20-mishaps-maybe-caused-nuclear-war.htm|archive-date=3 July 2020}}</ref>

The [[Cold War]] saw the use of Eielson's expansive reservation as a maneuver area for the [[U.S. Army]]. The 1960s [[171st Infantry Brigade (United States)|171st Infantry Brigade]] (separateSeparate) and [[172nd Infantry Brigade (United States)|172nd Infantry Brigade]] (separateSeparate) both trained here, both on a regular and extensive basis, not to mention units of the [[Alaska National Guard]]. Later in the 70s mid 80s the 172nd Infantry Brigade (the 171st Infantry Brigade was inactivated on 13 November 1972), followed by the 6th Infantry Division when the 172nd Infantry Brigade itself was deactivated on 15 April 1986 (it was reactivated again in Alaska on 17 April 1998, only to yet again beand inactivated in Iraq on 14 December 2006)

Today the [[1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division (United States)|1st Brigade 25th Infantry Division]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eielson.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/383784/combat-forces-integration/|access-date=25 January 2020|title=Combat Forces Integration|archive-date=25 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200125110354/https://www.eielson.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/383784/combat-forces-integration/|url-status=live}}</ref> and the [[25th Infantry Division (United States)|4th Brigade 25th Infantry Division]] can be found training there.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eielson.af.mil/News/Photos/igphoto/2001075411/|access-date=25 January 2020|title=High in the sky}}</ref> Several important large scale winter field programsproblems have been conducted here over the years as well, seeing large numbers of not only U.S. Army ground combat units from the [[Contiguous United States|]] lower 48 states]], but also [[United States Marine Corps|U.S. Marine Corps]] units, and even [[Canadian Armed Forces]] troops.

The 375th Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, from the [[308th Bombardment Group]] at [[Tinker AFBAir Force Base]], [[Oklahoma]], arrived at Eielson on 5 March 1949. The 308th flew [[Boeing B-29 Superfortress variants#WB-29|WB-29 Superfortresses]]. The unit was redesignated the 58th Strategic Weather Squadron on 21 February 1951 as part of the [[303d Aeronautical Systems Wing|303d Bombardment Wing]] at [[Davis-Monthan AFBAir Force Base]], [[Arizona]].

The 58th Weather Squadron remained at Eielson until 8 August 1958.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ww35.usafunithistory.com/PDF/50-74/58%20WEATHER%20RECONNAISSANCE%20SQ.pdf|access-date=25 January 2020|title=58th WEATHER RECONNAISSANCE SQUADRON|archive-date=28 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210828193824/http://ww35.usafunithistory.com/PDF/50-74/58%20WEATHER%20RECONNAISSANCE%20SQ.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Rc-135eielson.jpg|thumb|A SAC [[RC-135]] Recon Aircraft of the 6th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing|alt=|left]]

In July 1960, the [[Strategic Air Command]] (SAC) stationed the [[4157th Strategic Wing|4157th Combat Support Group (later Strategic Wing)]] at Eielson. The '''[[6th Strategic Wing]]''' (6 SW) replaced the 4157 SW on 25 March 1967, relocating from [[Walker Air Force Base]], [[New Mexico]] after its closure.

The 6th SW flew [[Boeing RC-135|RC–135]] strategic reconnaissance missions with an assigned squadron, and, with KC–135s[[Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker|KC–135 Stratotankers]] deployed to Eielson from SAC, AFRES[[Air Force Reserve Command]] (AFRC), and the [[Air National Guard]] (ANG), conducted Alaska [[Tanker Task Force]] (ATTF) missions to support reconnaissance and numerous exercises for the Air ForceUSAF and [[U.S. Navy]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.afhra.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/434138/6-air-mobility-wing-amc/|access-date=26 January 2020|title=6 Air Mobility Wing (AMC)|archive-date=26 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200126094151/https://www.afhra.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/434138/6-air-mobility-wing-amc/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The 6th SW remained at Eielson AFB until 1992.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rc135.com/0001/INDEX044.HTM|access-date=24 January 2020|title=History of The 6th|archive-date=15 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200915172424/http://www.rc135.com/0001/INDEX044.HTM|url-status=live}}</ref>

A new chapter for the base began 1 October 1981 when the [[343d Wing|343d Composite Wing]] replaced the 5010th as Eielson's host unit. Flying squadrons assigned to the new wing included the [[25th Air Support Operations Squadron|25th Tactical Air Support Squadron]] (TASS) and the [[18th Aggressor Squadron|18th Fighter Squadron]] (18 FS). The 25 TASS, at Eielson since 1971, flew [[O-2 Skymaster]] and [[OV-10 Bronco]] aircraft until its inactivation in 1989; the newly assigned 18 FS operated [[A-10 Thunderbolt II]]s until it converted to [[F-16 Fighting Falcon]]s in 1991.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.f-16.net/units_article197.html|access-date=24 January 2020|title=18th Aggressor Squadron (USAF PACAF)|archive-date=24 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200124212556/http://www.f-16.net/units_article197.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1984, the 343d Composite Wing was redesignated a Tactical Fighter Wing. Seven years later, in 1991, it was redesignated as the 343d Wing. Also that year, the 343d gained a second flying unit, the 11th Tactical Air Support Squadron (11 TASS), which flew [[Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II#Variants|OA-10s10]] aircraft.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eielson.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/384093/arctic-hawgs-take-final-flight/|access-date=24 January 2020|title=Arctic Hawgs take final flight|archive-date=24 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200124212043/https://www.eielson.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/384093/arctic-hawgs-take-final-flight/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 20 August 1993, the 354 FW replaced the 343d Wing. No personnel or equipment were affected by the change. Prior to its shutdown, the 343d was the oldest surviving air combat unit in Alaska with a lineage dating back to the [[Aleutian Islands campaign|Aleutian Campaign]]. The 18 FS, whose history also dated back to [[World War II]], remained active, but the 355 FS replaced the 11th TASS.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.themilitarystandard.com/afb/ak/eielson.php|access-date=26 January 2020|title=Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska|archive-date=14 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190814063801/http://www.themilitarystandard.com/afb/ak/eielson.php|url-status=live}}</ref>

Within the first year of its arrival the 354 FW hosted an Arctic [[combat search and rescue]] exercise between the United States, Canada, and Russia. Ironically, these were the same countries that took part in the search and recovery efforts that followed the fatal crash of Carl Ben Eielson and his mechanic, Earl Borland, in 1930 as they were attempting to fly relief supplies to the ''[[Nanuk (ship)|Nanuk]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.alaska.edu/uajourney/notable-people/fairbanks/carl-ben-eielson/|access-date=25 January 2020|title=The following story was reprinted from the June 30, 1930 edition of Farthest North Collegian.|archive-date=25 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200125095843/https://www.alaska.edu/uajourney/notable-people/fairbanks/carl-ben-eielson/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The 343d FW [[3d Flying Training Squadron|3d Fighter Training Squadron]] was replaced by the 353d Fighter Training Squadron from the 354th FW. The 3d Fighter Training Squadron had its origins with the 3d Tactical Fighter Squadron at [[Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base]], Thailand, being formed in March 1973. The 3d TFS received its [[LTV A-7 Corsair II|A-7D Corsair II]] aircraft from the then deployed 353d Tactical Fighter Squadron of the 354th Tactical Fighter Wing, deployed to Korat from [[Myrtle Beach AFBAir Force Base]], [[South Carolina]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://airandspace.si.edu/support/wall-of-honor/robert-g-hedgepeth|access-date=4 January 2020|title=Robert G. Hedgepeth|archive-date=26 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200126095812/https://airandspace.si.edu/support/wall-of-honor/robert-g-hedgepeth|url-status=live}}</ref>

Eielson is home to the [[354th Fighter Wing]] which is part of the [[Eleventh Air Force]] (11 AF) of the [[Pacific Air Forces]]. The 354th Fighter Wing mission is to "Prepare U.S. and partner forces for 21st century combat and to project and integrate Airpower in support of worldwide operations." The wing vision is "An elite team of pioneering Airmen forging Airpower's frontier through world-class training, engagement, and readiness for 21st century combat." The wing has six priorities, which are: "Strong Airmen and Families, Resilient Airfield and InfrastrucutreInfrastructure, Preparation for 2 x F-35 Combat Squadrons, Premier Joint/Air Exercises and Adversary Support, Synchronized Airpower into Army I Corps Ops, and OPLAN-Focused Readiness."

[[File:RefuelingBoeing KC-135R Stratotanker of the 168th ARS refuels Fairchild A-10s10 Thunderbolt IIs from the 355th FS over Alaska (USA), 29 May 2007 (070529-F-4192W-881).jpg|thumb|An [[A-10 Thunderbolt II]] is refueled mid-air by a [[KC-135 Stratotanker]] from the [[Alaska Air National Guard]]'s [[168th Air Refueling Wing]].]]

Flying and notable non-flying units based at Eielson Air Force Base.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.eielson.af.mil/About-Us/Units/|title=Units|website=Eielson Air Force Base|publisher=US Air Force|access-date=19 January 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=18 December 2020|title=355th Fighter Squadron reactivates, Alaska's second F-35A squadron|url=https://www.eielson.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2452880/355th-fighter-squadron-reactivates-alaskas-second-f-35a-squadron/|url-status=live|access-date=8 July 2021|website=Eielson Air Force Base|publisher=US Air Force|language=en-US|archive-date=9 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210509185919/https://www.eielson.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2452880/355th-fighter-squadron-reactivates-alaskas-second-f-35a-squadron/}}</ref>

Units marked "GSU" are [[Geographically Separate Unit]]sUnits, which although based at Eielson, are subordinate to a parent unit based at another location.

[[File:GP-40 Electromotive Diesel locomotive.JPG|thumb|A U.S. Air Force [[EMD GP40-2]] locomotive sits outside Eielson AFB's central heat and power plant. The base owns two of these engineslocomotives, both moving coal and rail traffic across the {{convert|11|mi|abbr=on}} rail system. Seen here is #4903.]]

Eielson Air Force Base has several locomotives to transport coal in winter to the base's power station.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eielson.af.mil/News/Article-DisplayArticles/Article/382602/heating-up-with-eielsons-locomotives/|access-date=26 January 2020|title=Heating up with Eielson's locomotives |access-date=10 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211103003413/https://www.eielson.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/382602/heating-up-with-eielsons-locomotives/ |archive-date=3 November 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Eielson Air Force Base was proposed to be a [[Superfund]] site on 14 July 1989, and was officially designated as such on 21 November 1989.<ref>[https://semspub.epa.gov/work/10/501000187.pdf NPL Site Narrative for Eielson Air Force Base] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200619202155/https://semspub.epa.gov/work/10/501000187.pdf |date=19 June 2020 }} EPA, Last updated on 21 November 1989, accessed 25 August 2015</ref>

The groundwater contains lead and [[volatile organic compounds]] (VOCs) like [[benzene]], [[xylene]], and [[toluene]]. Several areas of underground petroleum-contaminated soil and floating petroleum product are the sources of continuing groundwater contamination. Ingesting or coming into direct contact with contaminated groundwater or soil can pose a potential health threat. [[Polychlorinated biphenyl]] (PCB)-contaminated fish were also found in the area.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://yosemite.epa.gov/r10/nplpad.nsf/88d393e4946e3c478825631200672c95/7b3ae961ead30000852565920073a181?OpenDocument|title=EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, EPA ID# AK1570028646, Last Update: April, 2002|publisher=Yosemite.epa.gov|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050914050855/http://yosemite.epa.gov/r10/nplpad.nsf/88d393e4946e3c478825631200672c95/7b3ae961ead30000852565920073a181?OpenDocument|archive-date=14 September 2005|access-date=2013-04-29}}</ref> Construction of the superfund site was complete in 1998.<ref name="epa progress">{{cite web|url=http://cumulis.epa.gov/supercpad/cursites/csitinfo.cfm?id=1000110|title=Superfund Site Progress Profile EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE (EPA ID: AK1570028646)|date=23 June 2009|publisher=EPA|access-date=26 August 2015|archive-date=31 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151031154721/http://cumulis.epa.gov/supercpad/cursites/csitinfo.cfm?id=1000110|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2014, Eielson tested waters and soils for [[perfluorinated compounds]] around areas where "Aqueous[[Firefighting Filmfoam#Class FormingB Foam"foams|aqueous film forming foam]] (AFFF) had been used for firefighting and training. In March 2015, the base changed its source of drinking water, because contamination had been found. In April 2015, wells near [[Moose Creek, Alaska]], the community to the north, were tested and found contaminated.<ref name=fnm>{{cite news|author=Sam Friedman|title=Air Force to test Moose Creek wells for groundwater contamination|url=http://www.newsminer.com/news/local_news/air-force-to-test-moose-creek-wells-for-groundwater-contamination/article_14352e6c-001c-11e5-99ea-aba97774135f.html|access-date=3 September 2015|work=Fairbanks News Miner (AK)|date=22 May 2015|archive-date=19 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151119033852/http://www.newsminer.com/news/local_news/air-force-to-test-moose-creek-wells-for-groundwater-contamination/article_14352e6c-001c-11e5-99ea-aba97774135f.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In July 2015, water from 132 Moose Creek wells, which serve more than 200 residences, was found to contain [[perfluorooctane sulfonate]] (PFOS) above the health advisory level of 0.2 micrograms per liter by the [[United States Environmental Protection Agency|U.S. Environmental Protection Agency]] (EPA). The highest reading in Moose Creek was 2.09 micrograms per liter, and the highest level on Eielson reached 2,000 micrograms per liter at the site of a KC-135 aircraft fire in 1989. The [[Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation v. EPA|Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation]] said "contamination stretches 6.5 miles from the south of Eielson's runway to the north of Moose Creek and is found up to 100 feet deep". {{As of |August 2015}} the extent of contamination was unknown and if there was one large plume or multiple small ones. The Air ForceUSAF has held meetings to discuss different solutions for providing affected homes with water.<ref name=fairbanks>{{cite news|author1=Robin Wood|title=Air Force to hold meeting about Moose Creek water contamination|url=http://www.newsminer.com/news/local_news/air-force-to-hold-second-meeting-about-moose-creek-water/article_2b26557e-4acc-11e5-8c41-ab701fd587c4.html|access-date=26 August 2015|work=Fairbanks News-Miner (AK)|date=24 August 2015|archive-date=27 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150827025108/http://www.newsminer.com/news/local_news/air-force-to-hold-second-meeting-about-moose-creek-water/article_2b26557e-4acc-11e5-8c41-ab701fd587c4.html|url-status=live}}</ref> {{As of| May 2016}}, between 145 and 150 homes had well water with PFOS above the EPA health advisory concentrations;. withWith EPA's national water quality standard announced in May 2016, 15 more homes in the Moose Creek community were added.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.newsminer.com/news/more-homes-affected-by-foam-pollution-at-eielson/article_e82cc8f4-1e27-11e6-8e40-9737c05351e5.html | title=More homes affected by foam pollution at Eielson | publisher=newsminer.com | date=20 May 2016 | access-date=25 May 2016 | author=Sam Friedman | archive-date=23 May 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160523130118/http://www.newsminer.com/news/more-homes-affected-by-foam-pollution-at-eielson/article_e82cc8f4-1e27-11e6-8e40-9737c05351e5.html | url-status=live }}</ref> Work is now being done to connect the affected homes to water from the City of North Pole's public utilities.

|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=6 June 2013|archive-date=26 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150426102944/http://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Eielson Air Force Base first appeared on the [[1970 United States census|1970 U.S. Census]] as an unincorporated area. In 1980, it was made a [[census-designated place]] (CDP). It is located within [[Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska]].

As of the census of 2000, there were 5,400 people, 1,448 households, and 1,414 families residing on the base. The population density was {{convert|40.1|/km<sup>2<km2|/sup> (103.8/mi²)mi2|disp=preunit|people|people|abbr=on}}. There were 1,531 housing units at an average density of {{convert|11.4|/km<sup>2<km2|/sup> (29.4/mi²)mi2|disp=preunit|units|units|abbr=on}}. The racial makeup of the base was 81.7% [[Race (U.S. census)|White]], 9.4% [[Race (U.S. census)|Black]] or [[Race (U.S. census)|African American]], 0.6% [[Race (U.S. census)|Native American]], 2.1% [[Race (U.S. census)|Asian]], 0.2% [[Race (U.S. census)|Pacific Islander]], 2.2% from [[race (U.S. census)|other races]], and 3.9% from two or more races, and 5.8% of the population were [[Race (U.S. census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (U.S. census)|Latino]] of any race.<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=2008-01-31 |title=U.S. Census website |dfarchive-date=27 December 1996 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19961227012639/https://www.census.gov/ |url-status=dmylive }}</ref>

On 13 May 2005, The [[United States Department of Defense|Department of Defense]] proposed a major realignment of the base as part of the [[Base Realignment and Closure, 2005|Base Realignment and Closure]] program.

* That the 354th Wing's [[A-10 Thunderbolt II]] aircraft were to be redistributed to the [[Air Force Reserve Command]]'s [[917th Wing]] (now the 917th Fighter Group of the [[442d Fighter Wing]]) at [[Barksdale Air Force Base]], [[Louisiana]] (three aircraft); to the [[Air Combat Command]]'s [[23d Wing]] at [[Moody Air Force Base]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]] (12 aircraft); and to backup inventory at [[AMARC]] at [[Davis-Monthan Air Force Base]], [[Arizona]] (three aircraft). This action was part of a larger effort to consolidate the A-10 fleet. The 355th Fighter Squadron (355 FS) was inactivated on 15 August 2007 when the last A-10 departed Eielson.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hawgsmoke.com/355-fs/|access-date=25 January 2020|title=355 FS – Fighting Falcons|archive-date=25 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200125090530/https://hawgsmoke.com/355-fs/|url-status=live}}</ref>

* The 18th Fighter Squadron (18 FS) converted to the 18th Aggressor Squadron. This squadron trains in the same manner as the aggressors at [[Nellis AFBAir Force Base]], learning the flying styles and abilities of foreign air forces to train USAF pilots. Aircraft changes entail sending all 18 of its Block 40 [[F-16 Fighting Falcon]]s to [[Kunsan Air Base]], [[Korea]], and receiving 18 Block 30 F-16Cs from Kunsan.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kunsan.af.mil/News/Art/igphoto/2000411716/|access-date=25 January 2020|title=Kunsan receives F-16 Block 40s|archive-date=25 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200125091546/https://www.kunsan.af.mil/News/Art/igphoto/2000411716/|url-status=live}}</ref> The 18th Aggressor Squadron was officially established on 24 August 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eielson.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/382396/18th-aggressor-squadron/|access-date=25 January 2020|title=18th Aggressor Squadron|archive-date=25 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200125091903/https://www.eielson.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/382396/18th-aggressor-squadron/|url-status=live}}</ref>

* The [[Alaska Air National Guard]]'s [[168th Air Refueling Wing]] and its [[KC-135 Stratotanker]] aircraft will remain at Eielson.

{{Portal bar|Alaska|Aviation|World War II}}

[[Category:Installations of Strategic Air Command military installations]]