If you’re planning a visit to Eielson Air Force Base, you’ll be pleased to know that there are many attractions and outdoor activities available for your enjoyment. You can also enjoy Military dining and other dining options, and explore the beautiful scenery of the surrounding area.
Schools on base
Schools on Eielson Air Force Base are part of the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District and are open to students in kindergarten through 12th grade. There are 1,015 elementary school students and 633 secondary school students living on base. Children who live more than 1.5 miles from a school are provided transportation to and from school. Off base students may also request to attend an on base school. Students in kindergarten through second grade will attend Anderson Elementary School, third through sixth grade will attend Crawford Elementary School, and seventh to 12th grade will attend Ben Eielson Junior/Senior High School.
For children who are too young to attend school, there is an onsite Child Development Center at Eielson Air Force Base. Children can participate in preschool programs, which are designed to promote physical, cognitive, and social development. The program is based on the Air Force Creative Curriculum, and also offers recreational activities. There are also daycare and after-school care programs at Eielson AFB for children between five and twelve years of age.
The Airmen and Family Readiness Center (AFRC) can provide information regarding the area, including schools and the local community. In addition, DODEA and the State Department of Education can provide information about schools in the area. If you are moving to the area, you can also attend the Newcomer’s Mandatory In-Processing program, which is held every Friday at the Eielson Air Force Base Military Personnel Flight. Sign-in is required. The School Liaison Officer can assist you with school enrollment.
There are several public schools on Eielson Air Force Base, which are among the top in the country. Additionally, there are numerous private and parochial schools.
Military dining options
Eielson Air Force Base is home to a number of restaurants and fast-casual eateries. There are also military dining services available for those on-base. The Arctic Nite Strike Zone Cafe offers a hearty weekday breakfast, as well as sandwiches, omelets, and a full menu for dinner. Other options include the Two Seasons Dining Facility and the Top of the World Flight Kitchen.
The cost of living in the community surrounding Eielson Air Force Base is high. While service members are compensated for this by receiving COLA, many families are unable to afford to eat off base. Fortunately, there are many good options for military families and those living off base.
The base is home to more than 9,000 people, including active duty service members, their families, civilians, contractors, retirees, and their families. There are several popular restaurants in the Fairbanks area to choose from. The base is also home to several prestigious schools, hospitals, and military hospitals.
Aside from military dining options, there are also many non-military dining options near the base. Nearby hotels provide lodging options for Airmen and their families. Eielson Dorm Management can help with navigating these options. Off base lodgings are also available for unaccompanied Airmen E-4 and below.
Restaurants
When traveling on base or looking for a good place to grab a quick bite, Eielson Air Force Base offers a wide variety of options. From fast casual to fine dining, there’s something to satisfy everyone’s taste buds. A food court located on the base’s Exchange offers many different dining options, including Charleys Philly Steaks, Pizza Hut, Subway, and Burger King.
Museums
The Museums at Eielson Air Force Base celebrate the legacy of aviation. Located in the town of Eielson, Alaska, Eielson Air Force Base was first named 26-Mile Post. In 1948, the name was changed to Eielson Air Force Base. Its name honors Carl Ben Eielson, a pioneer of Arctic aviation. He was a bush pilot in the Interior during the 1920s and made the first flight over the polar ice cap in 1928. He and his navigator Hubert Wilkins made a 2,200-mile trip and earned the Distinguished Flying Cross for this achievement. The flight also earned Eielson the Harmon Trophy for the greatest American aviation feat of the year.
Visitors to Eielson Air Force Base can visit the Museum of the North, the Alaska Pipeline, the Santa Claus House, and Pioneer Park. The base is about 2.5 hours from Denali National Park. There are a variety of restaurants and accommodations available on base. To plan your stay at Eielson Air Force Base, make a reservation online. You can book your room in an Air Force Inn, Business Suite, or VQ room as far in advance as possible.
Visitors may also visit the Alaska Aviation Museum to learn about the base’s history. Its collection of aircraft and photographs contains images of winter maneuvers, including Army troops on skis towed by a tank. There are also images of artillery, aerial flares, and the Alaska Command building.
Visitors can also visit the Ronald Reagan Minuteman Missile State Historic Site, which features the Oscar Zero, a missile used during the Cold War. It can be toured topside and 60 feet below the surface. Students may also take advantage of the John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences, which contains flight simulators and an altitude chamber. It is a nationally recognized center of aerospace learning with over 1,500 students enrolled.
Parks
The best time to visit Eielson Air Force Base is in the warm season from late June to mid-July. The weather here is pleasant, with temperatures usually ranging between -14degF and 73degF. There are very few days where temperatures drop below zero and the warmest months are from July to December.
If you’re looking for something different to do while on a visit to Eielson AFB, you can find many fun activities in the area. There are many indoor and outdoor activities for visitors to enjoy, and the area is home to several fine restaurants. During your stay at Eielson, you can take advantage of the beautiful Alaskan environment, and visit some of the local attractions.
If you enjoy golf, you’ll want to check out the nearby golf courses. The Chena Bend Golf Course, a 6,476-yard, 18-hole course, has a driving range, putting green, pro shop, and several other amenities. Alternatively, the Fairbanks Golf Course, a 3,132-yard nine-hole course, has many games and offers lessons from a PGA professional.
If you’re looking for inexpensive flights to Eielson AFB, you can search for flights with Expedia. You can search by airline, origin airport, number of stops, and departure/arrival time. You can also look for flexible flight dates, which allow you to choose the cheapest days to travel.
While visiting Eielson AFB, make sure to visit the 354th Fighter Wing. This unit is a part of the 11th Air Force (JBEL-Richardson, near Anchorage). The 354th provides combat-ready fifth-generation airpower, advanced training for integration, and strategic Arctic basing. In addition, it operates the largest air-to-ground bombing range complex in PACAF, and conducts the premier large force exercise.
