Military
RSSThe military in Alaska is the network of bases, installations and armed service branches stationed across the state. It includes Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Fort Wainwright, Eielson Air Force Base and the Alaska National Guard. It covers veterans care, defense spending and Arctic security.
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Fort Wainwright is extending free Wi-Fi to all of its permanent party barracks
Fort Wainwright is bringing free Wi-Fi to all of its permanent party barracks, where soldiers assigned to the Fairbanks post long term live, the Army said Wednesday. It's an expansion of a six-building pilot that started earlier this year.
Each soldier will get an account for up to 10 personal devices, with speeds of up to 1 gigabit per second shared across them, at no cost. The Army said it's meant for everyday needs such as online classes, training, video calls and streaming.
Outside the pilot buildings, soldiers have had to pay commercial providers for internet in their rooms. In the record of a 2020 town hall, one question said service in one barracks cost $175 a month from GCI, the only option given. The garrison answered that packages ran from about $60 a month with ACS to $175 with GCI.
"I am working on my master's degree, and before this it could be difficult to submit assignments and documents on time," said Spc. Noah D. Packard. "Better internet access takes away that extra stress and makes it easier to stay on top of school and other responsibilities."
"Providing reliable internet access in the barracks is an important quality of life improvement for our soldiers," said Col. John W. Campbell, commander of U.S. Army Garrison Alaska.
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About Military
The military in Alaska is the network of bases, installations and armed service units stationed across the state. It includes Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Fort Wainwright, Eielson Air Force Base, Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak and the Alaska National Guard.
Recurring questions include training and exercises such as Red Flag-Alaska, the units and soldiers assigned to Alaska, military construction and contracting, and defense spending set by Congress. The Coast Guard flies search and rescue from Kodiak and operates cutters in Alaska waters, and the VA provides health care and benefits for veterans.
Military land and needs reach into civilian life, from leases of Eielson land for private development to contamination cleanup at Coast Guard Base Kodiak. Military work in roadless places, such as King Salmon and remote Interior radar sites, depends on barge and air delivery.
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