Anchorage Elmendorf Air Base - Spotting Guide

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Anchorage Elmendorf Air Base – Spotting Guide

July 11, 2026 - last modified on May 18, 2026

Anchorage Elmendorf AFB (EDF/PAED) is the AFB of Anchorage. It is part of the wider Joint Base Elmendorf–Richardson, which the two bases were merged in 2010. It is located north of Anchorage and spans 64,000 acres, with population being about 40,000. It is the main AFB in Alaska, and receives traffic of various forms.

The AFB’s usual movements are predomenantly from the USAF, including F-22s (which are based at PAED) – occasionally F-35s from Eielson AFB up north near Fairbanks venture south, C-130s, C-17 Globemasters, C-5 Galaxies, KC-135s (including the RC-135 Rivet Joints), E-3 Sentrys, amongst others. Also, on some occasions Atlas Air B747s operate out of Elmendorf on military charters for the USAF. Rarer aircraft include operators from foreign countries, including RCAF C-17s, RAAF E-7s, amongst others.
Training also occurs at the AFB, so at times there can be consistent operations.

Ramp movemements: Due to the nature of the AFB, and it effectively being its ‘own town’ due to border checks around the base, on a normal basis it is impossible to get ground shots. There are no spots in the east due to the vast area between the closest access point and the actual runway – and anyway, aircraft will not cross AK-1 because of nearby mountain ranges. As a result, the only spot is Suzan Nightingale McKay Park for 24 arrivals and 06 departures.

Written by Joshua Moses. Last Update: Spring 2026

General Information
Terminal	There is one terminal handling all flights.
Runway	06/24: 3,048 metres/10,000 ft (asphalt) – The main runway in operaton, predomenantly runway 06 16/34: 2,283 metres/7,493 ft (asphalt) – Is not used much Training ops, 06 arrivals, and 24 departures can be seen due to the AFB’s geography, where the north is unaccessible and you cannot get close in the south due to border checks.
Security	Anchorage Elmendorf is an active military air base. You are moving in public spaces here, so there should not be a problem with the laws. But be aware that you can be checked at all times: always wear your ID with you, be friendly and cooperative.

	Single spot: Suzan Nightingale McKay Park – 06 Departures + 24 Arrivals
WHERE	This spot is located southwest of the airbase. First, take A Street northbound and keep left to continue on E Loop Rd. Then, turn left onto Erickson St and finally, turn onto E Bluff Dr: here continue to the barriers and park on the slight left. Now search your position in the park here with benches and trees for shadow.

WHAT	From here you can see 06 departures and 24 arrivals.

TIME	In winter all day, in summer from later morning till mid-afternoon.

MISC.	This is a public park: be respectful, take your litter with you again and behave appropiate as people also live around here. A car is defintely needed to get here, nothing directly around. You either need to go to the mall close to the base or to the CBD of Anchorage down south. On warmer days, expect to have heat haze here.

FOCAL LENGTH	>400mm VC25: 435mm