Our Community

Commissary
The commissary has a complete selection of fresh meat and poultry, a full-service delicatessen and bakery, dairy, produce and frozen-food sections. The commissary is open Tuesday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Wednesday through Friday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends. The store is closed on Mondays and holidays. Call (907) 377-2173 for more information.

Shopping Center/Base Exchange (BX)
The Eielson Shopping Center offers a well-rounded selection of merchandise, including clothing, shoes, personal care items, house wares, hardware, sporting goods, cameras, electronics, computer software, books, magazines, toys and souvenirs. The Eielson Shopping Center BX is open seven days a week, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Call (907) 377-5801 or 372-1640 for inquiries. The barber, salon, alterations, floral and optical shops are located within the shopping center mall area, along with a food court featuring Anthony's Pizza, Burger King, Charley's Grilled Subs and Subway.

The shoppette and car care center can also be found at the shopping center. The shoppette class VI is open from 6 a.m. to midnight on weekdays, and 9 a.m. to midnight on weekends. The shoppette also features video rentals. For more information, call (907) 377-2210. The car care center offers vehicle services and supplies, and is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. The self-service fuel pumps are available 24 hours daily with a credit or debit card. For the shoppette and car care center, call (907) 377-5801, or the direct line for the shoppette (907) 377-2210 or car care center (907) 377-2002. The Military Clothing Sales Store is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and closed Sunday. Call (907) 377-3385, for more information.

Employment opportunities at all AAFES facilities are available for family members. Applicants may apply online at www.aafes.com 

Educational Services
Educational opportunities are provided through the base education office, located in Bldg. 2623. The University of Alaska Anchorage and Southeast campuses offer master's degrees in public administration via live satellite; bachelor's degrees in business administration, science technology and interdisciplinary studies; and a variety of associate degrees via traditional classroom courses. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University offers a Master of Aeronautical Science, Master of Science in management and a Bachelor of Science in professional aeronautics, technology management and aviation maintenance management. Wayland Baptist University provides a four-option major in its Bachelor of Science in occupational education and an associate degree, and a Master of Arts in management. The education office also provides information, counseling and advisement on tuition assistance, Community College of the Air Force, commissioning programs, professional military education and CLEP/DANTES testing. Call (907) 377-5106 or (907) 377-4193 for more information.

Armed Services YMCA of Alaska
The Armed Services YMCA of Alaska has been serving the Alaska military community since 1941. It focuses on the needs of military personnel and their families, with an emphasis on the junior enlisted grades, particularly junior single enlisted and single parents. By working in partnership with the military and civilian communities, the ASYMCA provides more than 30 programs and services on a year-round basis. They operate a military courtesy lounge at the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport and the Fairbanks International Airport for military travelers transiting in and out of Alaska for official or personal reasons. Numerous discounted or free tickets and tours programs are also available, primarily during the summer months.

The Armed Services YMCA of Alaska also provides support to organizational clubs (i.e., booster clubs) and individuals in need. For more information on the ASYMCA, call commercial (907) 353-5962/DSN (317) 353-5962 or fax commercial (907) 353-4864. Hours of operation vary.

The American Red Cross
The American Red Cross assists military members and their families during emergencies and provides service programs and volunteer opportunities to the base community. Fairbanks' primary Red Cross is the Tanana Valley Chapter, located at 725 26th Ave., Suite 201, Fairbanks, AK 99701. The Fairbanks Red Cross office can be reached at (907) 456-5937. Fort Wainwright American Red Office is available for all branches of military service, is located at 1024 Apple St., FTWW, AK 99703. For more information, call (907) 353-7234. In the event of an emergency, such as illness or death in the immediate family of the service member or spouse, call the Red Cross at (877) 272-7337. The Red Cross worldwide communications network can verify the situation and provide information to military authorities for planning emergency leave.

Financial assistance, counseling, information and referral services also are available. Red Cross assistance is confidential. The Red Cross coordinates and trains adults and youths as volunteers who support numerous base offices and activities such as the clinic, legal office and library.

Health and safety education courses, such as first aid, cardio-pulmonary resuscitation and childbirth preparation are offered on base. Instructor training is available in these courses. For Disaster relief assistance to clients, volunteer duty members or spouses can call toll free (877) 272-7337, for immediate assistance.

Religious Services
The base chapel accommodates all religious faiths and offers a variety of religious, social and educational programs. Retreats and religious emphasis days are conducted throughout the year. Opportunities for spiritual and personal growth are offered in areas such as couple enrichment and interpersonal relationships. The religious education program, Protestant and Catholic, includes classes for all ages Sunday mornings, as well as small group Bible studies. Catholic Mass and Protestant traditional and contemporary religious services are celebrated regularly. Arrangements for marriage, baptism and other spiritual rites are made with individual chaplains. Marriage preparation with a Protestant chaplain takes at least three months. The requirements for Catholic marriage preparation are six months as specified by the local Diocese of Fairbanks. For information on chapel activities, call (907) 377-2130.

Air Force Aid Society
The AFAS provides emergency financial assistance in the form of a loan or grant to Air Force members and their families in need. Aid is based on the merits of the individual case. In many cases, evaluations can be made on the spot. Loans of $2,500 or less can be approved locally, while national society headquarters must approve larger loans. Applications are available through your first sergeant. The AFAS also assists Air Force families with spouse tuition assistance through the education center, education grants, respite care, child care for volunteers, Give Parents a Break and Car Care Because We Care programs. The AFAS office is located in the Airmen & Family Readiness Center, Bldg. 2631. The office is open Monday through Friday. Call (907) 377-2178 for an appointment.

Airman and Family Readiness Center
The A&FRC, located at 2631 Wabash Ave., should be one of your first stops when you arrive at Eielson. Regardless of the season, you'll always find a beehive of activity in the center designed to help you enjoy your Alaska experience. Many free activities such as ice fishing, cross-country skiing, skeet shooting and snow machining are offered for the intrepid, while bowling, craft classes and field trips are available for the less adventurous. These events, offered in conjunction with other Eielson agencies, are part of the Operation Cabin Fever designed to teach beginners how to enjoy the great Alaska outdoors. The center also offers cooking classes on how to prepare a variety of foods including Alaska salmon, wild game and wild berries found throughout the state.

Other programs include:
Personal Financial Management:
The Personal Financial Management program can help you realize your financial goals, and help you through unexpected emergencies by working closely with the Air Force Aid Society.

Volunteer opportunities:
The A&FRC is a great place to volunteer. You can learn new job skills to add to your resume and make new friends. Other volunteer opportunities are also available within the Eielson community, and the volunteer coordinator can assist you in filling your volunteer needs.

Communications, parenting classes:
Improve your personal relationship by attending a couple's communication and parenting class. Free child care may be available. If not, the center maintains a current list of certified teenage babysitters.

Information referral:
The information and referral program is a one-stop shop for any questions, whether you need crisis assistance or are just looking for new ways to have fun.

Family Readiness:
The family readiness program helps families deal with separations during deployments and remote assignments. Some initiatives include free phone calls, e-mail, video telephone connections and a comprehensive information package as well as in-depth, pre-deployment briefings and monthly support groups.

Career Focus:
Relocating can be difficult on spouses who find their job skills don't match the local employment needs. Learn from the Career Focus Program how to make yourself more marketable in the local community.

Relocation Assistance:
As you are making the transition to or from Alaska, be sure to visit Relocation Assistance. The loan closet offers a variety of household items for use as you wait for delivery of your own things. Smooth Move classes are available for children and adults, and if you have teenagers be sure to ask about the Youth Sponsorship program.

Transition Assistance:
The Transition Assistance program provides assistance to active-duty members making the journey from bluesuiter to civilian employment. Learn to avoid pitfalls and make the most of your Air Force employment experience. For more information on any Airman & Family Readiness program, call (907) 377-2178.

Equal Opportunity (EO)
The EO, located in Amber Hall - Bldg. 3112, strives to enhance the 354th Fighter Wing's combat capability by eliminating unlawful discrimination and sexual harassment against military members, civilian employees, family members and retirees based on race, color, sex, national origin or religion. Additional protected categories for DoD civilian personnel include age, mental/physical disabilities and reprisal/ retaliation. The EO office assists commanders at all levels by conducting equal opportunity programs and teaching human relations education classes at every Air Force installation. The DoD Human Goals Proclamation forms the basis for the Air Force EO program. It stipulates that equal opportunity and equity in civilian employment regardless of race, color, sex, religion, or national origin, age, disability and reprisal will be provided as an integral part of readiness. The EO staff consists of certified Air Force instructors and mediators that provide assistance in the resolution of unlawful discrimination complaints. The EO office also acts as a referral agency for other human relations matters for both civilians and military personnel.

Legal Office
The office of the Staff Judge Advocate is on the third floor of Amber Hall, Bldg. 3112, and is open Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The staff provides advice to commanders in the areas of military justice and civil law as well as legal assistance to active-duty military, family members and retirees. Legal assistance is available at www.aflegalassistance.com or on a walk-in basis Mondays from 1 to 2 p.m. and Wednesdays from 9 to 10 a.m. Notary services and powers of attorney are available 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. For assistance with household goods and other claims call (907) 377-4114.

Alaska USA Federal Credit Union
As a member of the Eielson community, you are eligible for membership in Alaska USA Federal Credit Union, Alaska's largest consumer financial institution. Alaska USA is a not-for-profit, member-owned cooperative dedicated to providing professional, convenient and affordable financial services. Alaska USA provides convenient options for members to access their accounts from anywhere, anytime, by phone or online. This is particularly convenient for military families, since it eliminates the need to change financial institutions upon relocation or change of duty station. Alaska USA has also formed Alaska USA Insurance Agency, Alaska USA Mortgage Company and Alaska USA Trust Company to provide a full range of services and meet all of members' family financial needs. Alaska USA's Eielson branch is located inside the Eielson Shopping Center Base Exchange and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. There are also five additional branch locations in the Fairbanks area to serve members, several with seven-day-a-week service. Call (800) 525-9094, or visit www.alaskausa.org for more information.

RV Storage Area
A recreational vehicle storage lot that is secured, fenced and lighted is provided by outdoor recreation. The RV lot has 24-hour key card access. RV space can be obtained, for a monthly fee, at the equipment checkout center in Bldg. 2762. Call (907) 377-1232 for more information.

Civilian Personnel
CPS is located on the first floor of the headquarters building and provides information to prospective applicants on federal employment at Eielson. All job announcements can be accessed at www.usajobs.com. Current federal employees should check in with the CPS upon arrival. For others interested in employment information, the customer service counter is open Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call (907) 377-3933 for further information.

NAF Human Resources
The Non-Appropriated Funds (NAF) Human Resources Office, located on the first floor of the headquarters building, provides information about employment opportunities available through the Force Support Squadron. All job announcements can be accessed at www.eielsonforcesupport.com. The customer service counter is open Monday through Friday. Call (907) 377-3933 for more information.

Cable TV
General Communications Inc. (GCI) provides a full range of digital services, including cable and telephone. Call (800) 800-4800 for more information.

Eielson Community Television
Eielson Community Television is shown on cable channel 5 (GCI) and on base. It provides current command information, weather advisories and community notices. The 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs office produces information content. Call (907) 377-2116 for more information.

Dining Facilities
The Two Seasons is the base dining facility located in Bldg. 2207. It's open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and midnight meals Monday through Friday. On weekends, Two Seasons is open for brunch, dinner and midnight meals. Payment for meals received by other than subsistence-in-kind entitlement members is cash only. Due to a limited change fund, bills larger than $20 cannot be accepted. All incoming permanentchange- of-station people and their family members who are in TLA status may eat in the dining facility their first three days on station. Everyone pays the applicable surcharge, except family members of E-4s and below. Call (907) 377-1870 for more information; on weekends and holidays call (907) 377-3269.

The Yukon Club is open to all ranks for lunch and dinner. Regular menu items are available on weekdays 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Wednesday through Friday, 5 to 8 p.m. Daily lunch specials are available on weekdays, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Dinner specials run on Wednesday and Thursday evenings. The lounge offers a variety of programs and is open Wednesday through Saturday. The club is closed Sundays and holidays. Payment for meals may be made with cash, check or charge. Call (907) 377-2051 or (907) 377-2635 for more information.

Lane 21 Snack Bar, at Arctic Nite Lanes Bowling Center, is open to all ranks for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Monday through Friday, breakfast items are available 6:30 to 10:30 a.m., and lunch specials are offered 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Regular menu items are available for lunch and all other hours. For current hours of operation, visit www.eielsonforcesupport.com or call (907) 377-5154.  read more...