Fort Wainwright Fort Wainwright is a United States Army post adjacent to Fairbanks in the U . S . state of Alaska . It is part of the Fairbanks , Alaska Metropolitan Statistical Area . History . It was first established in 1939 as U . S . Army Air Corps as Ladd Field and transferred to the newly established U . S . Air Force in 1947 and renamed Ladd AFB , a cold weather station to test aircraft under arctic conditions . In 1961 it was transferred to the Army and redesignated Fort Wainwright in honor of World War II general Jonathan M . Wainwright . From 1963 to 1972 it was home to the 171st Infantry Brigade , mechanized until 1969 , then light . During that time , the 172nd Infantry Brigade was at Fort Richardson , in Anchorage . From 1986 to 1998 Fort Wainwright was the home of the 6th Infantry Division ( Light ) , including serving as the division ' s headquarters from 1990 to 1994 . From 1998 to 2006 , it was home to the 172nd Infantry Brigade , which was reorganized in 2003 as the 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team ( SBCT ) , part of the U . S . Army ' s transition program to include six SBCTs . In 2006 , the 172nd was re - flagged as the 1st brigade of the 25th Infantry Division . Fort Wainwright is also the home of Task Force 49 , an aviation brigade that provides logistical air support for U . S . Army Alaska . It also hosts the Bureau of Land Management ' s Alaska Fire Service . It is home to Bassett Army Community Hospital . Eva McGown was a member of the Officer ' s Women ' s Club at the fort . Superfund . National Priorities Listing . Fort Wainwright has been registered on the national Superfund list since August 1990 . Known contaminants on the site include mercury , tetrahydrofuran , chromium , lead , waste oil , waste fuel , solvent s , paint residues and fuel tank sludge . Approximately 15 , 000 people live and work at the fort and obtain drinking water from wells in close proximity to contaminated source areas . The Chena River also runs through the contaminated area of Fort Wainwright . Taku Gardens . To meet the needs of new personnel and their families construction of 128 homes on a 54 - acre housing project known as Taku Gardens began in 2005 . In June , 2005 construction workers noticed " stained soil and unusual odors during excavation of a building foundation " and laboratory testing revealed the presence of PCB at concentrations of up to 115 , 000 mg / kg - Alaska ' s current clean - up standard is 1 mg / kg . Further testing of the site revealed the presence of volatile and semi - volatile organic compounds , chlorinated compounds including solvents , herbicide s , pesticide s , dioxins , and " munitions - related compounds " such as nitroaromatics and propellants . A January , 2007 Army audit questioned " the wisdom of building a family housing complex on top of a known 1950s - era military landfill " and concluded that " the situation with the Taku construction project is the direct result of multiple individuals failing to adhere to Army and federal regulations and guidance . " The housing site is now fenced off and access is restricted to qualified personnel . Some homes constructed in 2005 were demolished , but several remain . Construction of the housing project resumed during the summer of 2011 . In the intervening years , many housing units between Taku Gardens and the main gate were reconstructed or renovated , with new housing built as well . Immediately northeast of Taku Gardens , Bear Paw was built on a part of the former site of Bassett Army Hospital , while construction of new homes began on the rest of the site in 2011 . Immediately northeast of Bear Paw , Denali Village , a much larger development , was constructed between Glass Park and the former billeting . Hangar 6 . In June , 2006 civilian construction workers at Aircraft Maintenance Hangar No . 6 - known by the Corps of Engineers to be a designated Hazardous Waste Accumulation point - were overcome by fumes described as " pungent , chalky and metallic tasting " and suffered nausea , headaches and other symptoms . A state health report concluded that " an unknown , volatile chemical likely caused nerve damage to the disabled workers . " More than 30 workers were hospitalized and at least 4 have suffered lasting disabilities . The workers initiated a civil suit against the Army which was dismissed because the workers were limited to state workers ’ compensation as their only relief . PEER Executive Director Jeff Ruch said " Two years after a designated hazardous waste site burned , the Army sent workers to dig up the site with no warning or protective equipment . What will stop the Army from sending workers to dig up this same site in five or ten years with similar results ? " Barrels of various toxic substances have been found near the Chena River Railroad Bridge off of Trainer Gate Rd .