Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER) Welcome Guide

Welcome to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, or JBEAR, your new home in the last frontier, Alaska. Nestled between the Chugach Mountains and the waters of Cook Inlet, JBEAR is where the U.S. Air Force's Elmendorf Air Force Base and the U.S. Army's Fort Richardson came together in 2010 to form one powerful joint installation. JBEAR is home to the Alaskan Command, 11th Air Force, 11th Airborne Division, and the Alaskan NORAD region. Whether you're Air Force, Army, or civilian, you'll find a mission and a community like no other. There are two main gates, Boniface Gate for Elmendorf and Richardson Gate for Fort Richardson. Both are open 24-7. Visitors can stop by the control centers for a pass. And remember, real IED-compliant identification is required for unescorted access. On base, you'll find everything you need, from the commissary in exchange to medical care at JBEAR Hospital. We've got fitness centers, bowling, golf, auto skills, outdoor recreation, and even an aero club for taking in Alaska's beauty from the sky. Housing is managed by Aurora Military Housing, with dorms for junior enlisted and off-base rentals just minutes away in Anchorage, Eagle River, and Chugiak. For families, JBEAR has three on-base elementary schools, with middle and high schools in the Anchorage School District. When moving here, please pack plenty of cold-weather gear. Winters mean heavy snowfall, freezing temps, and long, dark nights. But when summer arrives, you'll get almost endless daylight and mild, sun-soaked days that make Alaska unforgettable. Here, service means adventure. From mission-critical operations to exploring Alaska's unmatched beauty, you're part of something extraordinary. Welcome to JBEAR.