Eielson AFB Cell Phone Coverage (Anchorage, Fairbanks: buy, theater, YMCA)

[avskier]

Is there cell phone coverage at Eielson AFB? Will be stationed there in Nov 2006. Any entertainment info at Eielson would be helpful. I know it's 40 miles to Fairbanks so am prepared for the isolation and the cold. Any other important facts about the place would be appreciated. Thanks kindly ahead of time for your input. I am single pilot with no family and have about a 2 year hitch at Eielson.

[Rance]

Well I have not been there since mid 80's...and they did'nt even have cell phones then. But I'd be willing to bet there is coverage there. My cell phone works fine on the north slope.

[guppie]

Yes there is cell phone coverage on Eielson. There is one dead spot about 2-3 miles from the gate near Moose Creek, but other than that, its good. Remember, that cell phone use in your vehicle is prohibited on base unless you are using a hands free. Also, it is only about 20 miles to Fairbanks and not 40. As for entertainment, it really depends on what you are interested in.

[avskier]

Appreciate the feedback on the cell phone coverage at Eielson AFB. That will suit me just fine.

[afbeth]

I left Eielson August 2004, as for entertainment, well good luck with that. Alaska/Eielson was my best assignment EVER, but I love the outdoors, so don't necessarily need entertainment. You have the officers club on base, which is ALWAYS crowded, the family support group and others try to offer a variety of entertainment throughout the week. There is a SMALL, ski hill on base, shooting/archery range, LOTS of land/hiking/camping areas (you'll have to explore if someone can't help you find this). North Pole just has a few small all-year round attractions which get old pretty quick, it also has a bar/refinery but mainly full of airmen. Fairbanks has your big theater, lots of different restaurants, musuems, shops, summer tours, great hockey games, a bigger ski hill in town and on Fort Wainwright, etc. Its all about getting out, skiing, hiking, etc.

If you do decide to move off base, pick the Salcha area or North Pole; avoid Moose Creek. Moose Creek has nasty water.

Hope this helps some.

[c.adam]

I also left Eielson in 2004. When there both my wife and I had cell coverage. You can get service from ACS, GCI, and Cellular One. In town my Verizon service from the Lower 48 worked without a problem.

You DO want a cell phone for winter emergencies. But you don't get a whole lot of minutes to call family in the lower 48.

As for Entertainment.

1. Get out.
2. DON'T have it center around drinking, and equally dangerous Video Games. I saw too many young Airmen get into trouble that way.
3. Take advantage of MWR and Chaplain programs. You CAN use the programs on Ft. Wainwright as well. Make occasional trips to Anchorage, there IS A Best Buy there! the Military YMCA has free trips once a year via the train to and from Anchorage (September time frame when Denali is changing colors).

Any other questions go ahead and ask. By the way, which unit are you with? I ask, well cause I still know folks there and because depending on your squadron's mission, free time might not exist as much.