Eielson past and present

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Janine Thibault
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Just as a baby goes from infancy to adulthood Eielson Air Force Base has come a long way since its opening.

For most Airmen that have made a permanent change of station from Eielson, the base may seem unchanging as if in a time capsule. However, as the base historian knows, Eielson is rich with progressive changes.

The base historian collects an immense amount of documentation. This can include information regarding units, key personnel, aircraft and aircrew data, safety, construction, budget, awards, deployments, exercises and anything else the wing commander decides is worthy of coverage. The many pages of data collected over the calendar year are digitized and kept as a historical record.

In general it seems history is of little interest to people, however the past plays a major role in the present.

"Events, both large and small, are shaped by the actions and decisions of individuals," said Daniel Williams, 354th Fighter Wing historian.

In approximately 67 years there have been many changes; however there are also some primary aspects of our mission that remain.

According to Mr. Williams, mission changes, age of equipment and facilities, money and focus are factors that drive change.

He illustrates each factor by adding, "The mission change from Cope Thunder to RED FLAG-Alaska drove significant investments in the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex as well as an $11.8 million dollar upgrade to building 1141 adjacent to the Thunder Dome. Much of the equipment from the base power plant has been running since the early 1950's and that age combined with the harsh environment here in the interior of Alaska demands repair and replacement. Also, something as significant as the new physical fitness standards demands that we change how we do business daily to ensure we are prepared to execute our mission either here or down range."

There are many missions from the past as well as the staging of forces that continue today.

The 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Committee actions followed by the 2006 Air Force Chief of Staff changes represent the largest and most recent transformation. Eielson has seen the departure of the A-10's, the revamping of the Cope Thunder Exercises to RED FLAG-Alaska, and the redesignation of the 18th Fighter Squadron to the 18th Aggressor Squadron.

While those changes were significant for the base and the local population, Eielson and the 354th Fighter Wing have really always had a Prepare, Deploy, Enable mission. We have always had a hand in training Department Of Defense and coalition partners with large scale exercises and we have always had a deployment responsibility whether that was as a squadron, in teams, or as individuals.

The enabling portion through the staging of forces harkens back to the beginning of the cold war when Eielson hosted many missions and maintained vigilance through fighter, bomber, and reconnaissance missions.

There have also been numerous infrastructure changes that not only benefit the quality of life for those stationed here at Eielson, but also affect the core mission.

"It is very different coming back to the base now. The base has changed in many ways," said Virginia Damron, a past Eielson resident. "It's good that things change because there are new technologies out all over and it's necessary that the base keep up because there are situations that need more attention as the times change."

Some recent changes include new military family housing, significant renovations to contingency dorms, repair and replacement work at the central heat and power plant, as well as efforts towards building a community center where the old Base Exchange was are just a few which will certainly enhance the lives of both the residence of Eielson as well as those here for a short period of time.

Well documented history serves as an aid to what worked and what did not, and what Airmen are doing today will assist future planning.

"In 2010 men and women from across the wing will make decisions regarding their fitness that will directly impact the success of this wing's mission," said Mr. Williams. "The 2010 history records will reflect that. I say all this because when the history is read and studied in two years or 50 years, the decisions made by individuals today will be studied at places like the Air War College at Maxwell Air Force Base by future commanders and war planners. The recording of these events shaped by individuals will aid future Airmen."

General historical information can be found on Eielson's homepage, but more in-depth material is located in the history office at the repository. Materials ranging from microfilm histories of the 354th Fighter Group in World War II, Eielson AFB from 1943, pictures, base papers dating back to the 1940s, and an extensive opportunity to access the Air Force Historical Research Agency's holdings are all resources that are available. To set up an appointment call Daniel Williams at 377-1136.

History is an important part of learning from mistakes and progressing past our own expectations. We are always mobile in our efforts-we constantly move towards the difference.