FReeper Canteen ~ Road Trip: Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska ~ 23 OCT 2012

Serving The Best Troops And Veterans In The World!! | The Canteen Crew

[laurenmarlowe]

 

 

~The FReeper Canteen Presents~

Road Trip: Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska

Eielson AFB, Alaska, is located about 25 miles southeast of Fairbanks in the interior of Alaska, and is the home to the 354th Fighter Wing, assigned to the 11th Air Force in the major command of the Pacific Air Forces.

The host unit at Eielson is the 354th Fighter Wing (354 FW) assigned to the Pacific Air Forces Eleventh Air Force. The 354 FW primary mission is to support Red Flag – Alaska, a series of Pacific Air Forces commander–directed field training exercises for U.S. Forces, provides joint offensive counter-air, interdiction, close-air support, and large force employment training in a simulated combat environment.

The Army completed construction of the original base in October 1944. The base consisted of approximately 600 acres with housing for 108 officers and 330 enlisted. It eventually featured two parallel runways 6,625 feet long by 150 feet wide and Birchwood Hangar, long a fixture on base.

 The base was dubbed "Satellite" or "Mile 26" by some workers and "26-Mile Strip" by the brass. One story had it the base was named 26-Mile Strip because of its proximity to one of the 13 Army telegraph stations that linked Fairbanks with Valdez as part of the Army's WAMCAT, or Washington-Alaska Military Communications and Telegraph, system.

However the reason for the naming was even simpler. Once built, the gate to the base was constructed at the south end of the runway, so people traveling from Fairbanks would have to go to the south end. That drive measured out to be exactly 26 miles, so the base was then known as 26-Mile Strip.

About 3,000 military people work at Eielson. The base has 1,476 houses, and 522 dormitory rooms for approximately 3,200 active duty and family members who live on base. An additional 1,800 active duty, Reserve and Guard servicemembers and their families live off-base. More than 500 retirees from all branches of the military reside inthe area. Rounding out the total military-related population are about 950 civilian employees and more than 600 traditional and full-time Air National Guard members.

The 354th Operations Group directs operations, training, and standardization of F-16CG weapons systems providing realistic combat training. The group provides training and support for expeditionary combat employment of wing assigned assets across a full spectrum of aerospace operations. The group functions as primary liaison between the FAA, Army, and Air Force on all airpower applications.

The Air Force has seen many changes at Eielson, and many missions and aircraft have come and gone. Since its early days, Eielson has also been home to weather reconnaissance aircraft, tactical units from Alaskan Air Command, aerial tankers and, most recently, F-16s, A-10s and OA-10s as part of the 354th Fighter Wing, flying close air support and forward air control missions for nearby ground units.

Strategically, Eielson's location allows units based here to respond to hot spots in Europe faster than units at bases on the East Coast. The same is true for Korea and the Far East. Eielson units can respond quicker than many of the units based in California.

Learn More About Eielson Air Force Base Here!

Alaska's air history is rich and exciting. The Great Land's frontiers were being explored just as the early pilots and explorers were testing the frontiers of flight. It was an inspiring time.

Located in Fairbanks, and housed in the beautiful gold dome designed by Buckminster Fuller, the Pioneer Air Museum's rare & unique collection of over 500 photographs chronicle early flight and the brave men and women who ventured into the unknown.

Visit The Alaskaland Pioneer Air Museum Here!

FR CANTEEN MISSION STATEMENT~Showing support and boosting the morale of our military and our allies military and the family members of the above. Honoring those who have served before. 

Please remember: The Canteen is a place to honor and entertain our troops. The Canteen is family friendly. Let's have fun!

We pray for your continued strength, to be strong in the face of adversity.

We pray for your safety, that you will return to your families and friends soon.

We pray that your hope, courage, and dignity remain unbroken, so that you may show others the way.

God Bless You All ~ Today, Tomorrow and Always

 

 

[tomkow6]

 

 

 

 

 Good morning,

EVERYBODY!

GOOD

MORNING

TROOPS!

 

 

SAVE BIG BIRD!

 

 

Don 't judge folks by their relatives.  
 

 

[beachn4fun]

Good morning, Everyone.

Good morning to our

military, our allies, and their families

Thank you, Lauren, for preparing the Canteen for today’s activities.
Hey, I think I see Ma's house from here?

DC Metroland Weather

~ Today...A mix of clouds and sun. High 79F.
Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.

~ Tonight...Cloudy early, becoming mostly clear after midnight. Low 57F.
Winds light and variable.

Drive-by post. Lurker mode today.
FR is slow going this morning
and I can't wait on it as I have a meeting this morning.

I apologize to FReeper FRiends if I missed you yesterday.
Work takes over and I can't wait around for FR to stop spinning wheels.
Please stay.
Grab a cup of joe or tasty tea.

The FR Canteen is ALWAYS

Come on in and sit for a while.
There's always plenty of coffee, tea,
pancakes,
conversation,
silliness,
and plain old BS

REMEMBER THEM ~ DEFENDERS OF FREEDOM

AMOS, THOMAS HUGH
4/20/1972
Laos
Negotiated Remains Returned

FR CANTEEN MISSION STATEMENT

Showing support and boosting the morale of our military and our allied military and the family members of the above Honoring those who have served before.

[ConorMacNessa]

Good morning, Beachy!

*HUGS*

How are you doing this morning?



Genuflectimus non ad principem sed ad Principem Pacis!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

[ConorMacNessa]

Good Morning To Our Valiant Troops, To Our Vets, To Our Families, Our FRiends, Our Allies And To All Canteen Denizens!

Godspeed our Troops around the Globe, especially those in combat!

Reveille
(click)


May The Lord Protect And Uphold Our Troops In Their Vital Mission!

May He Keep Safe Their Families During Their Time Of Separation!

May He Preserve And Uphold The American Nation In This Time Of Adversity!

Genuflectimus non ad principem sed ad Principem Pacis!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

[E.G.C.]

Good morning, Tomkow6.

((HUGS))Good morning, Beach.

How's it going?

[tomkow6]

Happy 222222sday, Edward!

[beachn4fun]

Good morning CMN ((HUGS))

Doing ok so far. Been busy checking emails and pings andetc.

Howz it with you?

[left that other site]

Hi Everybody!

(((HUGS)))

[Arrowhead1952]

Good morning to everyone at the Canteen. We have 87º forecast as the high until Friday.

[Arrowhead1952]

Good morning beachy and (((HUGS))).

[beachn4fun]

Good morning dear ((HUGS))

Happy Tuesday

[tomkow6]

Hey, Star!

How 'bout them red parakeets!

....snicker...giggle...snicker...

[luvie]

Good mornin', Early Birds!
It's time for tea/coffee!
One lump or two?
Hope you all have a TERRIFIC Tuesday!
....and don't work TOO hard!
It's a beautiful fall morning..
....but will warm up by afternoon. Bummer!
((((hugs))))

[Arrowhead1952]

Good morninf LUV and (((HUGS))). FR sure is sloooooow this morning.

[luvie]

Howdy,Arrow! (((hugs)))

Yes, it is slow...but not as bad as it was last night. I
sure hope they get those new servers installed soon! Preferably
before election night! :)

[Arrowhead1952]

I tried to post last night and finally gave up. I noticed I had a spelling error on the previous reply, just after the preview came up. I had waited long enough so left it.

[E.G.C.]

((HUGS))Good morning, LUV W. How’s it going?

[luvie]

No worries! I do that all the time! LOL! I finally gave up and
posted on the Official FR Page on Facebook. We had fun! :)

[luvie]

Howdy, EGC! (((hugs)))

It’s going pretty well. Beautiful day here! Hope you and Bo are enjoying this nice fall-ish weather!...and get to walk along the lakeshore!

[Arrowhead1952]

No facebook for me. I don’t need to add to my net profile.