DVIDS – News – Hangar 5 reopens and expands fitness capacity to strengthen readiness at JBER

By Senior Airman Hunter Hites
ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON JOINT BASE, Alaska –

After months of renovations, the 673d Force Support Squadron reopened Hangar 5 on December 8, 2025. The restoration of the large fitness center expands access to a training environment that promotes the strength, endurance and physical readiness necessary to develop lethal, combat-ready Soldiers at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.

The nearly 90-year-old converted aircraft hangar once again serves as a satellite fitness facility, offering functional fitness equipment and an open floor plan for large-scale physical training.

“Hangar 5 is great, especially in our northern marshalling environment, to provide a large, open space that doesn't exist anywhere else on the installation,” said Joshua Grieser, 673d FSS director of the Elmendorf Fitness Center. “The ability to rally units for PT, train together and build fitness directly supports the lethality of our force and aligns with the Ready Airman, Ready Base and Ready Community priorities.”

With an allocation of $5 million for the facility's overhaul, the facility was closed in April to enhance JBER's ability to build and sustain fighter aircraft combat capability. The renovation included new roofs, structural repairs, resurfaced gym floors, netting around the field and improvements aimed at making the aging hangar more functional and safe.

“We have installed lines and platforms that allow a company-sized Army unit to operate the ACFT with 12 lanes at a time,” Grieser said. “We have the entire JBER community in mind because increasing capacity for a service strengthens readiness across the installation. The design also intentionally supports joint operations, including Army requirements.”

The reopening ensures military members continue to have reliable access to fitness facilities at a time when the Air Force is focusing on combat readiness.

“Our [servicemembers] Rely on continued access to fitness resources to meet standards and support the mission,” said U.S. Air Force Capt. Chad Shinn, commander of the 673d FSS Services and Sustainment Flight. “The opening of Hangar 5 keeps our community moving and ensures our continued focus on readiness and resiliency.”

The facilities at Hangar 5 differ from other JBER fitness centers with optimized functional fitness equipment, designated cardio areas and open areas suitable for both individual training and organized unit training essential to physical fitness.

“We want people to have multiple options to train and stay injury-free,” he said. “The size of this space allows us to bring new programs online that only a facility like Hangar 5 can support.”

Hangar 5 is open Monday to Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

For more information about Hangar 5, visit jberlife.com or call (907) 552-3624.