Interior’s military impact felt across state, globe
Installations will remain a major economic driver The military installations clus- tered around Fairbanks are among the region’s most consequential economic and institutional assets, reaching be- yond their gates into housing, schools, transportation, construction, retail, employment and population growth. The latest evidence is contained in the Fairbanks North Star Borough’s 2026 Multi-Jurisdictional Plan, which provides an unusually broad look at the footprint of Fort Wainwright and Eiel - son Air Force Base. The overview makes clear that the installations are not iso- lated federal facilities; they are deeply integrated into the economic and phys- ical fabric of the Fairbanks region. Together, Fort Wainwright and Eielson generated an estimated $1.865 billion in direct annual eco - nomic activity in the Fairbanks North Star Borough, according to the most recent figures from the Fairbanks Eco - nomic Development Corporation. Fort Wainwright accounted for approxi - mately $1.1 billion, while Eielson con - tributed approximately $765.5 million. The two installations also support a military community of more than 30,000 military personnel, family members, civilian employees, con- tractors and retirees, representing a substantial portion of the borough’s population and economic base. But the economic influence is only one dimension of the military pres- ence. The bases also shape where people live, how communities plan for growth, the demand placed on pub - lic infrastructure and schools, and the
New office to strengthen Alaska’s military position
Alaska is creating a new state office aimed at making the state’s growing role in national defense more coordinated — and ensuring Alaska captures more of the eco- nomic opportunities that come with increased military investment. Gov. Mike Dunleavy announced in late July the creation of the Alaska Military Affairs Office (AMAO) within the Department of Military and Vet- erans Affairs. The office will serve as the state’s central coordinating entity for military affairs and work with mil - itary installations, federal agencies, local governments, Alaska Native organizations, industry, universities and economic development groups. “The creation of the Alaska Military Affairs Office demonstrates our com - mitment to protecting and expanding our military presence while ensuring our communities, infrastructure, workforce, and industries are pre- pared to support the missions that defend our nation,” Dunleavy said.
and cold-weather testing. Fort Wainwright manages approx - imately 1.5 million to 1.6 million acres of training land, providing space for maneuver, aviation, live-fire and Arc - tic training across Interior Alaska. Ei - elson, meanwhile, operates within the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex, or JPARC, encompassing approximately The most recent State of Alaska economic-development analysis estimates that defense spending generates about $3.7 billion in Alas- ka, including contracts and payroll, and supports an estimated 58,000 jobs when direct, indirect and in- duced employment are considered. increasingly important as military activity expands across the state. Those military missions translate into significant economic activity. The office is being established with support from a grant through the Department of War’s Office of Lo - cal Defense Community Cooperation. Among its responsibilities will be advising the governor and state agencies on military affairs and defense-related economic devel- opment, coordinating long-term infrastructure planning, developing a statewide military strategy and work- ing with the congressional delega- tion to advance defense priorities. That coordination will become
region’s role in national defense.
A military presence woven into the region
Fort Wainwright sits immediately east of Fairbanks, while Eielson Air Force Base is about 10 miles southeast of North Pole. The two installations operate as an interconnected military complex supporting mission opera - tions, joint training, Arctic operations
Shutterstock Photo
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Eielson Air Force Base is home to two combat-coded F-35A Lightning II squadrons.
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