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History of 3rd Medical Group Elmendorf AFB, Alaska

The 3rd Medical Group, stationed at Elmendorf Air Force Base (now Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson), Alaska, has a distinguished history of providing medical support to U.S. Air Force personnel and their families in the Arctic region. Activated in 1948, the unit played a crucial role in supporting air operations during the Cold War, ensuring the readiness and health of aircrews and base personnel. Over the decades, the group has expanded its mission to include comprehensive healthcare, aeromedical evacuation, and humanitarian assistance in response to emergencies and natural disasters across the Pacific and Arctic. Today, the 3rd Medical Group continues to uphold its legacy of excellence, serving as a vital component of U.S. military readiness in the Far North.

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ABOUT 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.

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