Biking Inside JBER Bike Trails. A beautiful day for biking!

Here is some of the history of JBER.

Joint Base Elmendorf - Richardson "JBER" encompasses 64,213 acres on coastal lowlands surrounded by high mountain chains. It is located in south central Alaska, adjacent to Anchorage. The topography is dominated by glacial features and lakes and swamps are plentiful. A total of 50,904 acres is available for training. The first Air Force unit to be assigned to Alaska, the 18th Pursuit Squadron, arrived in February 1941. The Army has served in Alaska since 1867, when Soldiers of the United States Army, 9th Infantry Regiment, took part in the ceremonies that raised the Stars and Stripes over Sitka and transferred Russian lands to the United States. Construction of an Army post six miles northeast of Anchorage began on 8 June 1940. The War Department General Order Number 9, dated 12 December 1940, designated the military reservation as Fort Richardson, and the flying field at Fort Richardson was designated Elmendorf Field. Fort Richardson, named for Wilds P. Richardson, was built in 1940-1941 near Anchorage. Construction of the base began on June 8, 1940. The first Army Air Corps personnel arrived on Aug. 12, 1940, led by Maj. Everett S. Davis. On Nov. 12, 1940, the War Department formally designated the installation Fort Richardson.

Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, Army and Navy engineers began building airstrips in the Aleutian Islands to defend against possible Japanese attacks. U.S. Army units also built an initial pioneer road in 1942 for the Alaska-Canada (ALCAN) Highway in less than eight months. In 1943, civilian contractors followed and constructed a more permanent, all-weather highway. The 1,420-mile road was built as an overland supply route to get personnel and equipment to Alaska. The ALCAN Highway complimented military infrastructure that was built throughout Alaska than ensured Allied forces could defend the territory, and carry the fight to the enemy, if necessary.

The air facilities and flying field on the post were named Elmendorf Field in honor of Capt. Hugh M. Elmendorf. In 1947 the Army planned to move its operations to a new site named Fort Richardson, adjacent to the WWII installation. The Air Force assumed control of the original Fort Richardson and re-named it Elmendorf Air Force Base. JBER's host unit is the 673d Air Base Wing; but we are also home to headquarters, Alaskan Command and 11th Air Force headquarters, US Army Alaska Headquarters, the Alaska National Guard, the 3rd Wing, the 176th Wing (ANG), the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, the 477th Fighter Group.