Can anybody tell me about Fort Richardson?

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 10 Apr 2017 18:32:37 -0400

Just found out my duty station is ft Richardson and just curious if anybody has been there and what's it like ?

Response by TSgt Scott C. Brammer made Apr 11 at 2017 4:04 AM

TSgt Scott C. Brammer — Tue, 11 Apr 2017 04:04:46 -0400

Don't know too much about Ft. Richardson but I was stationed at Elmendorf AFB and it was the best assignment I ever had. I worked at the hospital there and that's the same hospital that you'll use. One of the things real estate people tell you is location, location, location and as far as Alaska goes, being in Anchorage is "the place to be". If you like outdoor activities you are close enough that you can do all the hunting and fishing and hiking and camping that you can handle. However, if you hate doing outdoor stuff, you are right in Anchorage which is the biggest city in the state and with a population of about half a million people they have EVERYTHING and in many ways it seems like a much larger town. There are lots of different cultures there because you are half way to Asia. Lots of awesome restaurants and tons of bars to go to. When I was there it was fairly easy to get space A flights to Japan and South Korea as well as back to CONUS. Also, don't believe all the BS people tell you about Alaska being 50 below zero all the time. It is very cold in the interior of the state but Anchorage is way South and down by the ocean so you don't have those really extreme temperatures there. I live in Wisconsin and there are many times that it is colder here than it is in Anchorage. Sorry that I don't know about the Fort Richardson part of the base but I really didn't go over there that much. Have a great time up there. I think you will like it a lot!!

Response by SPC Don Wynn made Apr 12 at 2017 1:08 PM

SPC Don Wynn — Wed, 12 Apr 2017 13:08:20 -0400

As I mentioned earlier, Richardson is compact, anywhere on base is literally walking distance. As CPT Speaks pointed out, you are also part of Joint Base Elmendorf and it's facilities. As Elmendorf is a large Air Force facility, you have access to some really excellent services, including medical care. Even if you are not a outdoors type, Anchorage is very close and is very much a city. But, having only 500k residents, has a feel much like Milwaukee, only with more snow. If you are an outdoors type, you are about to view heaven! 1/2 an hour outside Richardson puts you in rugged forest, mountain, river and glacial areas. There is literally no outdoor activity you can't engage in.

Response by SSG Gerald King made Apr 13 at 2017 6:50 PM

SSG Gerald King — Thu, 13 Apr 2017 18:50:09 -0400

I always wanted to go to Ft Richardson. That was my first choice on my dream sheet upon completing my MOS schooling. A good friend and I both requested Ft Richardson. My friend got Alaska and I got Paris, France (Orleans). I didn't feel to bad about that. That was until President DeGaulle kicked all NATO troops out of France before I ever got to get on the plane to go there. My assignment changed from France to Vietnam. This was in early 1966.

Response by SSgt Michael Smith made Apr 14 at 2017 3:10 AM

SSgt Michael Smith — Fri, 14 Apr 2017 03:10:45 -0400

I'm actually here right now! I'm Air Force, but my family and I live on the Fort Richardson side. There's lots of snow, but with the snow comes amazing summers/winters with it. It's a great place to be and if you have any questions, need directions, anything...just hit me up and I'll give you all of the information I can!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 14 at 2017 1:13 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 14 Apr 2017 13:13:52 -0400

Was there in 05' to 08', so I'm a little behind the curve but I loved Fort Rich and Elmendorf AFB. Anchorage/Eagle River is Beautiful. Lots of outdoorsy things to do, if you're into that. Okay let's get into the meat and potatoes of this tour. The weather gets cold, VERY COLD. You don't know cold until you've lived there. You'll get minus 20 to 30 degree temps, in the winter but they'll issue you CW gear to keep you from getting frost bit. You'll do PT in spikes and snow shoes lol. to 3 Feet of snow any given season. I'm from NC ,so that was a cultural shock. But once I got use to it, it was lovely. In the winter, you'll have short days. In the summer, long days. They'll issue you blackout drapes for your barracks room so you can rest without having sunlight in your face. It's definitely different. But fun. Pay is nice, even for a junior enlisted soldier. I'll go again in a heartbeat. You'll occasionally have moose or bears walking up to your party lol. That'll freak everybody out. It's just like being in the states but you're in AK. Social life is like any other American city. You'll have fun. Just have a good attitude and enjoy your time!

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 30 at 2017 11:07 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 30 Apr 2017 23:07:04 -0400

Best advice I can't give you, be open minded to doing new things, stay away from house parties unless its a buddy's place, don't shoot anyone unless its life, limb, or eye sight. Always carry a gun(open and concealed carry without permit is allowed in Alaska) there are crazies. Don't lie to the police APD or State, they will work with you so much more if you are honest and cooperative. I've had my fair share of dealing with them. Nothing serious usually party busts. Do not get a DUI first thing they look for. You will get caught, lost a handful to DUI just in my unit. You'll love it man. I dreaded it when I had my orders cut, probably the place the wife and I will retire back too. Enjoy it man, embrace the lifestyle, watch for bear/moose, and do everything you possibly can.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 6 at 2017 9:13 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 06 May 2017 21:13:59 -0400

I'm currently stationed at Ft. Richardson. Best advice I can give is to find a hobby besides drinking. It's a tight knit community military wise and civilian wise. Everyone knows everyone up here. And if you take action you can find just about anything you would want to do up here. Summers are gorgeous and you'll have sunlight for like 20 hours a day. Winter is the opposite but snowboarding is a blast. I've been here 4.5 years and it's been freaking awesome. Your experience once you get here will be what you make it so remember to be social and get out and do things.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2017 1:11 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 May 2017 13:11:54 -0400

I was stationed there for almost 3 years. Once you get past the cold, it's a nice place to be. It's a good place for outdoors activities such as hunting, fishing, hiking, snowboarding, skiing, etc. The COLA is good there so you have an opportunity to save some money. The Summers are absolute perfect weather. The biggest con is that its isolated, so going on leave costs an arm and a leg and depending on where you're flying too will be an all day event.

Response by Debbie Watson made Jan 21 at 2019 4:59 PM

Debbie Watson — Mon, 21 Jan 2019 16:59:07 -0500

My Dad was located at Fort Richardson when the earthquake hit. He is wanting a picture of the base and to know of there are any books available about the earthquake. Any help would be appreciated greatly as his memory is going downhill daily. Thanks!

Response by SPC Jimmy Derr made Oct 10 at 2019 10:49 PM

SPC Jimmy Derr — Thu, 10 Oct 2019 22:49:17 -0400

Stationed at Ft Rich from 1965 till 1967. Great place to serve! This was during the Vietnam war. Worked in the Postal Directory. We forwarded the mail to Vietnam. I used my training and worked for the USPS until retiring from there! Anchorage was a great getaway! Lots to see and do! ENJOY!