3rd Medical Group Elmendorf AFB, Alaska

• Strategic Location: The 3rd Medical Group is stationed at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (formerly Elmendorf AFB), Alaska, a key U.S. military installation just outside Anchorage, providing vital support in the strategically important Arctic and Pacific regions. • World War II Roots: Elmendorf Field (now part of JBER) was established in 1940 as a major Army Air Forces base, making the 3rd Medical Group’s lineage tied to early defense efforts in the Pacific Theater. • Mission Diversity: The 3rd Medical Group supports not only Air Force personnel but also Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and over 35,000 beneficiaries—including retirees and their families—in the Anchorage area. • Cold Weather Medicine: The unit is renowned for its expertise in cold-weather and Arctic medicine, frequently training for and responding to injuries and illnesses unique to harsh Alaskan conditions. • Global Deployments: Members of the 3rd Medical Group have deployed worldwide, supporting operations such as Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and humanitarian missions across the globe. • Innovative Readiness Training: The 3rd Medical Group regularly participates in Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) events, providing medical services to remote Alaskan villages and strengthening military-civilian partnerships. • State-of-the-Art Facility: The Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson hospital is one of the most advanced military medical facilities in the Pacific, with capabilities ranging from emergency care to surgery and specialty clinics. • Disaster Response: The unit played a major role in local disaster relief, including the response to the 2018 Anchorage earthquake, providing emergency medical support and maintaining readiness. • Community Engagement: The 3rd Medical Group is active in public health outreach, including vaccination drives, suicide prevention programs, and health education for Anchorage-area communities. • Distinguished Recognition: The group and its personnel have received numerous awards for excellence, including Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards, reflecting a longstanding tradition of exemplary service.