U.S. Army Alaska is at the forefront of protecting America's interests in the volatile Asian Pacifi c region. We are the U.S. military's most centrally located worldwide transportation hub while our joint training opportunities, breathtaking environment and harsh climate changes provide ideal training grounds. USARAK is headquartered at Fort Richardson, U.S Army garrisons Fort Richardson and Fort Wainwright encompass two posts with a total of 1.65 million acres. Nearly 12,000 Soldiers and 2,500 civilian employees keep the mission going forward.

USARAK headquarters transitioned to an Early Entry Command Post, or EECP, in 2007 and is responsible for establishing initial command and control of forces in a combat theater and setting the conditions for its parent Operational Command Post, headquartered at Schofi eld Barracks, Hawaii, to assume command and control.

USARAK is home to the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, as well as the 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, and Aviation Task Force 49.

The 1-25th SBCT deployed to Iraq as the 172nd Stryker Brigade in August 2005 for a yearlong deployment that was extended to 16 months. On returning to Alaska, the unit was re-designated the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division.

The 1st SBCT, 25th ID, is stationed at Fort Wainwright. Its subordinate units are the 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment; 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Battalion, 8th Field Artillery Regiment, 5th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment; 25th Brigade Troops Battalion and the 25th Brigade Support Battalion, as well as smaller units and separate companies. Aviation Task Force 49's major units are the 1-52nd General Aviation Support Battalion, and the 6th Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment.

Fort Richardson is home to the 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division. Its subordinate units are the 1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment; 3rd Battalion, 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment; 1st Squadron (Airborne), 40th Cavalry Regiment; 2nd Battalion, 377th Parachute Field Artillery Regiment; 425th Brigade Special Troops Battalion; and 725th Brigade Support Battalion.

Another major unit at Fort Richardson is the 17th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion. Its subordinate units are C Company, 864th Engineer Battalion; 98th Maintenance Company; 95th Chemical Company; C Company, 84th Engineer Battalion; 62nd Transportation Company; and the 4th Quartermaster Detachment, with more units to be added in the near future.

The post is also headquarters for the 59th Signal Battalion, the Regional Contracting Offi ce Alaska, and the Alaska Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. The Pacifi c Civilian Personnel Operations Center, a state-operated fi sh hatchery and the Fort Richardson National Cemetery are also located on Fort Richardson.

Separate U.S. Army Alaska units at Fort Wainwright include the Northern Warfare Training Center. Headquartered at Fort Wainwright, but serving both posts, are the Defense Military Pay Offi ce and Military Personnel Divisions and C Detachment, 125th Finance Battalion.

U.S. Army Garrison, host to these tactical units, has headquarters at Fort Richardson and Fort Wainwright. The USARAK NCO Academy and 716th Ordnance Detachment (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) are at Fort Richardson, while the 9th Army Band is at Fort Wainwright. Tenant organizations at forts Richardson and Wainwright also include Medical Activity Department-Alaska, U. S. Army Alaska Veterinary District Command and Dental Activity-Alaska.

Fort Wainwright is also home to the Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory.

The Department of Defense Missile Defense Agency is a tenant at Fort Greely, which provides support for the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense's Operation Support Group-Alaska and the 49th Missile Defense Battalion.