page_title: Eielson Air Force Base
section_title: Role and operations
hierarchical_section_title: Eielson Air Force Base / Role and operations
caption_attribution_description: English: Hursey Gate - Eielson AFB, Alaska
context_page_description: Eielson Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located approximately 26 miles southeast of Fairbanks, Alaska and just southeast of Moose Creek, Alaska. It was established in 1943 as Mile 26 Satellite Field and taken off deployment in 2007. It has been a Superfund site since 1989. Eielson AFB was named in honor of polar pilot Carl Ben Eielson.
  Its host unit is the 354th Fighter Wing assigned to the Eleventh Air Force of the Pacific Air Forces. The 354 FW's primary mission is to support 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 with air operations flown out of the two bases.
  Eielson was projected to have 54 F-35s arriving in April 2020 and continuing through 2022. The planes were to come with an estimated 3,500 personnel, to include airmen and their families as well as civilian personnel.
context_section_description: Eielson is home to the 354th Fighter Wing which is part of the Eleventh Air Force (11 AF) of 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 Infrastrucutre, 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."
  Airmen who are stationed on Eielson commonly refer to themselves as "Icemen" due to the frigid Alaskan weather. Their wing motto is: "Ready to go at fifty below!"
  The 356th Fighter Squadron was reactivated on 10 October 2019 at Eielson Air Force Base, assigned to the 354th Operations Group. It is to be equipped with the F-35A Lightning II.
caption: Hursey Gate at Eielson, the primary access point to and from the base.  A partial interchange was built on the Richardson Highway in conjunction with the relocation and rebuilding of the gate.
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