Elmendorf Air Force Base

Boniface Gate (Main Gate) - Air Force
Boniface Gate (Main Gate) - Air Force
Vandenburg Ave
JBER, AR 99506-3565

Phone 907-552-5420

Check-in Procedures

• Assignment with US Air Force
  • Upon arrival to the base, you must in-process no later than the next duty day at 0800. Base INTRO is located in the People Center, Bldg 8517 20th Street, Rm 118. They are open Monday - Friday, 907-552-8722. Bring a copy of your orders.
  • Permissive Leave for house hunting should be approved and have a copy in your possession before you take your leave. Approval is usually accomplished before you leave your last base, but may be done once you arrive.
  • Arctic Warrior Newcomer Orientation is held every Tuesday and is assigned as part of your in-processing. Spouses are highly encouraged to attend.
  • There is a joint spouse orientation for spouses new to the military called Heartlink. For more information on this program, call the Willow Military and Family Support Center at 907-552-4943.
• Assignment with US Army
  • If you are not being met by your sponsor, report to the Welcome Center, Bldg. 600, In/Out Processing, Room 103. If arriving after 1600 hours or weekends, report to the Replacement Center, Bldg 649. Bring a copy of your orders.
• IAW AR 600-8-10, para 5-31, Commanders in the grade of LTC or above must approve Permissive TDY. If you are authorized 10 days Permissive TDY for the purpose of house hunting you must report to the Housing Office at your new duty station with your DA Form 31 on the day your permissive TDY begins.
  • Permissive TDY will end on the date specified on your DA Form 31 or the date you sign into your new duty station, whichever comes first. Soldier must report to the gaining on-post housing office prior to starting house hunting. Failure to do so will result in Soldier being charged leave for the entire period.
  • In-processing takes place over a three day period with daily Integration Briefings held in Building 600, Room 103. Day One includes essential information for every Soldier. Day Two includes Finance and Medical, and Day Three includes CIF/arctic gear issue.
  • Newcomers Orientation is held every 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month and spouses are highly encouraged to attend.
  • There is a joint spouse orientation for spouse's new to the military called Heartlink. For more information on this program, call the Willow Military and Family Support Center at 907-552-4943.
• Sponsor Role for all services
  • A sponsor is someone from your new unit who is assigned to assist in settling you into your new location. They will be knowledgeable about the local community and the installation, be able and available to assist you and your family for up to 2 weeks post arrival and will also be someone positive and outgoing.
    • Sponsor duties include:
      • Contacting you and your family by letter of introduction or e-mail upon learning of your assignment to the installation.
      • Following up with a personal phone call after contact has been made.
      • Sending information about the installation/area which you may require, or putting you in touch with the resources on the web and at the installation that provide current, complete and up-to-date information such as those provided by the Relocation Program.
      • Answering any questions which you or your family may have, or, again, providing the proper resources to answer those questions.
      • Confirm transportation and lodging arrangements.
      • Assisting with obtaining a Post Office Box for your mail.
      • Meeting you and your family upon arrival.
      • Accompanying you to your check-in point for the unit.
      • Introducing you to the Family Center and lending closet.
      • Providing essential service locations such as commissary, exchange, gas station, and bank.
      • Being available when you arrive at your installation to meet you, show you around, and help you through in-processing.
    • For USAF:  If your sponsor has not contacted you, please call Base INTRO (907-552-8722) for assistance.
    • For US ARMY:  If your sponsor has not contacted you, please call  907-384-9341 or DSN 317-384-9341.
• Getting married enroute? If you get married before you PCS, you must inform your commander and follow the procedures exactly as you are given them.  The military will not pay for travel and housing of your spouse if you do not follow proper procedures.

Directions

Directions to the Installation
JBER is located amid picturesque majestic snow-capped mountains, lakes, rivers, and glaciers abound with wildlife. JBER is 2,090 miles north of Seattle, Washington, and 300 miles south of Fairbanks, Alaska. 

Traveling by Airplane to Anchorage

If you are flying to Anchorage and do not have transportation to JBER you may stop in the Atwood Military Lounge, courtesy of the Armed Services YMCA at Ted Stevens Airport, 907-248-2535 from 8:00 a.m. to midnight to ask for directions/information. They are located in South Terminal near Baggage Claim. No shuttle service is available at this time.
Taxi Service -- Take a taxi from the airport to the JBER Welcome Center, Building 600, to sign in. Taxi fare is generally $50.

Army Specific: If single, the staff at In/Out Processing Office, Room 103 will call your unit or staff duty to have a representative come meet you. If you are married, proceed to the Lodging Office, Room 101, to check in.

Traveling by Rental Car/POV

Directions from Anchorage International Airport (approx. 30min)

• Exit airport on International Airport Road
• Left at C Street
• Right onto 6th Avenue (becomes the Glenn Hwy)
• Exit at JBER (Army specific)
• Left at the top of the ramp
• Proceed through the main gate (you'll need ID/vehicle tags/proof of insurance) Left on 5th Street (2nd stoplight).
• Right into Bldg 600 parking lot.
• Enter Bldg through center entrance
• In/Out Processing is the 2nd door on your left (1 door past Lodging Office, Room 101). 

Traveling by Ferry

If you are considering taking the Alaska Marine Highway System, contact you local Transporation Office for details. The Ferry boards in Bellingham, Washington and departs either Haines or Whittier, Alaska. From Haines it is an additional 765 miles (roughly a 15 hour drive depending upon weather). If traveling from Haines, you will travel from Alaska into Canada and back into Alaska. You will need your orders, photo ID and birth certificates for your children. Effective January 31, 2008, U.S. and Canadian citizens need to present a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license, along with proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate or naturalization certificate.

Traveling through Canada/ALCAN

If you do the drive it will be a trip to remember - getting here is half the fun! Traveling the Alaska/Canadian (ALCAN) Highway, will be a journey lined with fantastic scenery. If you come in the winter, beware of changing weather. An atlas and current road maps with states, provinces and territories (The MILEPOST magazine is useful) you are traveling through will make your trip to your new home in Anchorage a smooth one. Ensure that your orders state that you are authorized to travel the ALCAN. If you deviate from your travel plans your orders might have to be amended. You may not receive all your travel pay reimbursements as well.

Plan Ahead When Driving

Plan ahead for gas stops (run at the top half of your tank), lodging/camping or rest stops. There can be many miles between these. Take care on planning to reduce the risk of being stranded. Roads may be rough or under repairs due to frost heaves. There are areas where dirt roads and highway maintenance will slow your travel and the possibility of gravel hitting and chipping or breaking your windshield is high. Don't follow other vehicles too closely. Be prepared for most minor vehicle repairs such as flat tires or broken belts. Have the appropriate emergency/safety gear and clothing for all weather conditions. Also be aware of the wildlife that may be on the roadways: moose, bear, caribou and buffalo.

What to do when you arrive at the Installation Gate

Upon arrival at JBER main gate, proceed to the Visitor Center located on the right side of the gate area. You will need a copy of your orders, military ID card, driver's license, current vehicle registration and proof of insurance (make sure your insurance carrier insures you while driving in Canada) to acquire a JBER vehicle pass. Request a JBER map and ask for directions to the Welcome Center, bldg. 600, Richardson Drive (Army) where you must sign in with In/Out Processing Center, Room 103. If you have any questions, you may call In/Out Processing at 907-384-0425.

Shipping your Vehicle

If you plan on shipping a vehicle to JBER/Anchorage, Alaska between October and April or plan on shipping the vehicle earlier with the intentions of the vehicle arriving during this time frame the vehicle must have anti-freeze protection to -50F. The vehicle should also have a strong battery.

Directions to JBER

From the Airport

If you choose to fly here you will fly into Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. There are two terminals, the South (Main) terminal and the North (International) terminal. Be sure your sponsor will meet you at the airport, otherwise you will have to hire a taxi from there to the base. There is no shuttle service from the airport to the base. Get a receipt for the taxi fare for travel voucher purposes.
There is an Armed Forces YMCA military lounge located near the Alaska Airlines baggage claim level under the escalator. It's open daily 8 am to midnight. The base is approximately 10 miles from the airport.

Driving from the South "Lower 48 "States

If you drive here from the "Lower 48" you will travel through Canada and along the Alaska Canadian Highway (ALCAN), or if you use the Alaska Ferry (Marine Highway) and disembark at Haines, AK, JBER is located off the Glenn Highway, Alaska highway 1. (Air Force specific) You will take the Boniface Parkway Exit. Turn right at the light to enter the base via the Boniface Gate. The gate is about a quarter mile from the exit and is open 24/7.

Driving from the Alaska Ferry

If you use the Alaska Ferry (Marine Highway), and disembark at Seward, AK you will drive north out of Seward on Alaska Highway 9 for approximately 130 miles. Stay on this highway for 130 miles or disembark at Whitter and drive 39 miles to Anchorage. (Air Force specific) Turn right onto 6th Ave. Stay on 6th Avenue and take the Boniface Parkway/JBER exit. Turn left at the light. You will enter the base via the Boniface Gate. The gate is approximately a quarter mile from the exit.