Editor’s note: This post was updated in January 2021.

One of the most challenging aspects of the military spouse life is preparing for an upcoming PCS, or if you get the chance, potentially picking a new duty station. There is a lot of information out there, and it can be almost overwhelming.

We here at Army Wife Network want to take some of the guesswork out of the need-to-knows about duty stations around the globe. Hence, our Post With the Most series. In this particular blog, we will be showcasing information related to Fort Wainwright, Alaska.

Fort Wainwright is the home of the United States Army Garrison Alaska and units of the United States Army Alaska (USARAK), including the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division; the USARAK Aviation Task Force; and the Medical Department Activity-Alaska. Fort Wainwright is co-located with the great city of Fairbanks, which is home to more than 50,000 people and provides virtually everything you and your family would enjoy in any other city in America.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Fort Wainwright is home to the following units:

• 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division
• Northern Warfare Training Center
• NCO Academy
• 59th Signal Battalion
• USARAK Aviation Task Force

Surrounding Cities:

• Fairbanks (about 5 miles)
• Fox (13 miles)
• Ester (21 miles)
• College (21 miles)
• North Pole (27 miles)

 Closest MAJOR City: Fairbanks

Names of Area Colleges:

• University of Alaska Fairbanks in Fairbanks
• Wayland Baptist University Fairbanks and North Pole
• Online College Information has distance learning opportunities for Alaska

Weather: Fort Wainwright is part of a sub-artic climate. Winters are long and summers are short with most rainfall happening in summer. Heaviest snowfall happens from October to January, and snowfall is likely through May. Fairbanks’s annual average high temperature is 37 degrees, and the warmest months are usually May through August. The annual average low temperature for Fairbanks is 17 degrees.

“Sunlight is not always a given here. During the winter months, we go down to three to four hours of sunlight a day, culminating in the shortest day of the year on Dec. 21. After this date, we start gaining 17 minutes of sunlight a day until we pretty much have sunshine around the clock on June 21. And then the reverse occurs. Often times, the summer seems like one long day because the sun doesn’t actually set again until August. But having the darkness in winter can be blessing around Christmas time as everyone leaves their Christmas lights on around the clock, and it truly is a winter wonderland.” – Dusti C.

Time Zone: Fort Wainwright is in the Alaska Time Zone. The site timeanddate.com can help you look up day length for Fairbanks. You can view each day of the month to get a feel for how much sunlight you can expect throughout the year.

SPECIFIC POST INFORMATION

To access the post website, click here.

 Map of the area

Historical Facts/Landmarks: Fort Wainwright was originally a cold weather test site for aircraft, beginning in 1940. It was first named Ladd Field in honor of Maj. Arthur Ladd. In January 1961, the base was transferred between braches to become Fort Wainwright, named in honor of Jonathan M. Wainwright.

• Historic Buildings
• Ladd Field National Historic Landmark
• Ladd Air Force Base Cold War Historic District
• Prehistoric Archaeological Sites

HOUSING

On-post Housing is managed by North Haven Communities.

Temporary housing is available on post through the Holiday Inn Express.

Major realty/rental companies in the area:

• Madden Real Estate
• Somers & Associates Realtors, Inc.
• Empire Realty

SCHOOLS

School Liaison Officer

 School Districts:

• Fairbanks North Star Borough School District

On-Post Schools

• Elementary: Arctic Light Elementary (grades K-6)

Off-Post Schools

• Elementary: Ladd Elementary (K-8) and Hunter Elementary (K-8)
• Middle: Tanana Middle (7-8)
• High School: Lathrop High (9-12)
• Private/Charter: Boreal Sun Charter School (K-8) and Chinook Charter School (K-8). For more private school options, click here.

ON-POST SERVICES  

• Child and Youth Services
• Army Community Service 
• PX
• Commissary
• Fort Wainwright Post Library
• Bassett Army Community Hospital
• MWR
• Fort Wainwright Community Spouses’ Club
• Chaplain & Religious Services/Organizations

OFF-POST INFORMATION

Health Care:

• Hospital: Fairbanks Memorial Hospital (Fairbanks)
• Urgent Care: U.S. HealthWorks Medical Group (Fairbanks)
• General Practitioners: Tanana Valley Clinic (Fairbanks)
• Dentist: Chang Family Dental (Fairbanks) and Neibaur Family & General Dentistry (Fairbanks)
• OBGYN: Interior Women’s Health (Fairbanks), Chena Health OBGYN (Fairbanks), and Tanana Valley Clinic (Fairbanks)

Best place for beauty services:

• S Salon & Studio (Fairbanks)
• Happy Nails (Fairbanks)
• Team Cutters (Fairbanks)

Shopping malls: Bentley Mall of Fairbanks

RESTAURANTS

Fairbanks:

• The Crepery
• Lane’s Quickie Tacos
• Jazz Bistro
• The Pump House
• Alaska Salmon Bake and Palace Theatre
• The Cookie Jar
• Sam’s Sourdough Cafe
• The Chowder House

Fox:

• Silver Gulch 

North Pole:

• Little Richard’s Family Diner
• Outlaw Tamales
• Country Cafe

MUST DO

Fairbanks:

• See the Northern Lights (You can find tours for this if you like)
• Riverboat Discovery
• Chena River State Recreation Area
• World Ice Art Championships
• Ski Land
• Gold Daughters
• Fairbanks Children’s Museum

North Pole:

• Santa Claus House
• Visit North Pole City, which is decorated year round

 Ester:

• Ester Community Market
• John Trigg Ester Library and LiBerry Musical Festival / Berry Pie Throwdown

Also, check out Alaska.org for lots of information regarding things to do throughout the state.

SOCIAL MEDIA CONNECTIONS

Army Wife Network does not promote or endorse these groups; however, we know they can be helpful in learning about various duty stations, so they are provided for your convenience.

Installation Facebook page: Fort Wainwright 

Military Spouse Groups:

• Fort Wainwright Army Wives
• Fort Wainwright Army Spouses

Buy/Sell/Trade Pages:

• Fairbanks Alaska Buy, Sell & Trade
• Buy, Sell, Trade @ Fort Wainwright

Religious services:

• Catholic Women of the Chapel Fort Wainwright

Additional Spouse Comments & Testimonials

“Fort Wainwright has so much to offer families. From four ice rinks within 20 minutes, an accredited university, and a technical school to further your education, to local restaurants that you’ll miss and find nowhere else like them when you leave, Fairbanks and North Pole offer so much to residents that you could spend every weekend trying a new activity with your family.” – Amanda S.

“It is just a great area. We enjoy hockey games in the winter, camping and berry picking in the summer, and just love this area.” – Amber R.