Fort Richardson was named for pioneer Alaska explorer, Brigadier General W.P. Richardson, who was responsible for surveying and building early railroads, road systems, and bridges in Alaska. It expanded to become the logistics base for numerous Army garrisons and the Air Corps. Their mission is to maintain a light, deployable force capable of defending United States interests across the globe. Facilities are airborne and airlift operations drop zone, heliport, firing ranges, and infantry training areas.
Soldiers learn arctic survival skills and standard military specialties.
Hugh M. Elmendorf, killed in 1933 while flight testing an experimental fighter. The wing provides air superiority, surveillance, tactical airlift, and agile combat support forces for global deployment. The installations are northeast of Anchorage, between the Knik Arm of Cook Inlet to the northwest and the Chugach Mountains to the southeast. Glacial pothole lakes and artificial waterbodies provide waterfowl habitat. In addition, Fort Richardson has a large saltwater marsh.