Eielson AFB, Alaska

Eielson Air Force Base
Part of Pacific Air Forces (PACAF)
Located near: Fairbanks, Alaska
General Dynamics F-16C Block 30D Fighting Falcon 86-0270 from the 18th Aggressor Squadron
Coordinates	64°39′56″N 147°06′05″W / 64.66556°N 147.10139°W / 64.66556; -147.10139 (Eielson AFB)
Site information
Controlled by	United States Air Force
Site history
Built	1941
In use	1941–present
Garrison information
Garrison	354th Fighter Wing

Airfield information
IATA: EIL ICAO: PAEI FAA LID: EIL
Summary
Elevation AMSL	547 ft / 167 m
Coordinates	64°39′56″N 147°06′05″W / 64.66556°N 147.10139°W / 64.66556; -147.10139Coordinates: 64°39′56″N 147°06′05″W / 64.66556°N 147.10139°W / 64.66556; -147.10139
Website	www.eielson.af.mil
Map
Eielson AFB Location of Eielson AFB in Alaska
Runways
Direction Length Surface ft m 14/32 14,530 4,429 Concrete
Sources: FAA, official site

Eielson Air Force Base (AFB) (IATA: EIL, ICAO: PAEI, FAA LID: EIL) is a United States Air Force base located approximately 26 miles (42 km) 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.

Its host unit is the 354th Fighter Wing (354 FW) 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.

Eielson AFB was named in honor of polar pilot Carl Ben Eielson. The 354 FW is currently commanded by Colonel David A. Mineau.

Until 2007, Eielson was a front line base, deploying fighter and bomber units around the world and providing for the defense of Alaska. Because of BRAC 2005 the base went off deployment status in 2007. Its 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. Alaska's size enables the military to have the largest air-ground training complex in America.

Eielson is home to the 354th Fighter Wing which is part of the Eleventh Air Force (11 AF) of Pacific Air Forces (PACAF). The 354th Fighter Wing mission is "To train, deliver, maintain and support combat power across the globe while taking care of our people, their families and our infrastructure." To accomplish that mission, the wing implements flying operations, mission support, maintenance and medical care functions and is host to 10 tenant units.