"Because my father was in the Air Force, I have lived on several Air Force bases. The Air Force provides their people and families excellent services and housing."
– Melanie Lewis, Computer Information Systems, Wilkes University

We are all members of a community. Whether it is our neighborhoods, our churches, or our schools, we all have somewhere we feel comfortable or at ease. As an Air Force officer, much of your professional and social lives will revolve around the Air Force base. All Air Force bases have one thing in common: each is a concentrated, organized community of people, facilities and services necessary to keep the Air Force in operation.

As far back as the Wright Brothers, aircraft were built first, and then the base was designed to fit the needs of the aircraft. During World War I, airfields were generally near the front lines and were moved as required since they only needed short runways for takeoffs and landings. Any properly located grass-covered field with adequate drainage and reasonably level terrain could serve as an airfield. As aircraft capabilities improved, requirements for air base facilities became a factor. Larger aircraft required more room for parking, takeoff and landing. As planes became more complex, their maintenance requirements also expanded. Extensive support areas for these and other activities were needed to keep aircraft ready for operations. In place of small groups of mechanics and aviators, hundreds and sometimes thousands of people were needed to operate the new air base. Individual and family housing complexes were built and the modern air base became an organized, self-sustaining unit.

Every Air Force base is functionally designed to support a specific mission of the Air Force, such as combat, mobility, education and training, or even logistics. Today's typical air base is a compactly organized community, engaged in carrying out the military mission and maintaining most of the social, religious and educational activities required by its members. In the past, the air base community was about five to ten miles from the nearest civilian community. However, now that distinction has disappeared at many bases. Every base has its own post office, police and fire departments, and utility system. Buildings are arranged according to a master plan that specifies the location of dormitories, family housing, hangars, maintenance shops, hospitals, schools, chapels, theaters and other facilities that make up an ordinary community.

The Air Force knows people are our most important asset. As such, the Air Force has made quality-of-life issues around the base a top priority. In order for you to better understand life on an Air Force base, let's take a look at some of the facilities/activities:

Security Forces – One of the first things you'll notice when entering a base are the Security Forces at the entrance gate. Our well-trained security and police forces not only provide protection of Air Force resources, but a secure environment for you and your family to work, live and play.

Exercises/Inspections – As part of the wider Air Force, each base has a mission that contributes to the overall readiness of our nation's defense. Practice and training for that mission is part of life at the base. So, if you see people running around in funny suits, more aircraft flying than normal, or out-of-town inspectors checking out the activities on base, that's just part of life on an Air Force base. Just remember that it's the practice and operational experience that make ours the best Air and Space Force in the world.

Medical Facilities/Health-Care Facilities – Everyone in the Air Force receives totally free medical and dental care. And if the special care you need isn't available where you are stationed, you will be taken to the nearest Air Force facility where it can be administered. In addition, very-low-cost life insurance is available for Air Force personnel. All large bases have hospitals and a dental clinic, and other bases have at least a clinic or dispensary. For isolated units, the Air Force contracts with civilian doctors and dentists for professional service. Your family has access to the medical facilities on base, and the TRICARE managed health-care system is designed to provide for their care, on and off base.

Base Housing – If you live in base housing, it's all free. No rent. No utility costs. No real estate taxes. Most bases provide some housing for both single and married officers. If you're single, you may live in the Bachelor Officer Quarters (BOQ), which is a room or suite, or you may live off base. BOQs are common at overseas bases. If you have a family, you can live in a house on base or live off base. Most bases also provide temporary or Visiting Officers Quarters (VOQ) for officers who are temporarily at a base. They also provide Temporary Living Facilities (TLF) for families who are either just arriving on or departing from the base. If you live off base, then don't forget you'll receive a Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) each month. Your BAH is meant to help defray the cost of housing and utilities.

Continuing Education – Interested in continuing your education? Working towards your BA, MA or MS? Most bases have educational facilities. College classrooms are common on Air Force bases. The base education office runs the Air Force education services program. Through this office, you can take courses related to your job or take graduate courses. Additionally, many overseas base Community Centers offer language and cultural orientation programs.

Child Care and Education – A kid's life on an air base is full of activities and sports. Many air bases have youth activity centers, libraries and child development centers that provide day care services. Schools are always a first priority for the Air Force. Every air base either provides schools for dependent children, or is associated with nearby public schools.

Activities for Children – You and your family are important members of the Air Force team. As such, you'll find a variety of programs geared toward your children. After-school activities, community service organizations (Boy/Girl Scouts), youth centers and sports programs are just a few of the programs aimed at providing your child a safe environment to explore, mature and make friends.

Supermarket Shopping (The Commissary) – The base commissary is the Air Force version of a supermarket where you can buy groceries and other household items. You save roughly twenty to twenty-five percent by shopping at the commissary, for the same things you buy "downtown." All commissaries throughout the Department of Defense are run by the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA).

Department Store Shopping, The Base Exchange (BX) – The Base Exchange is the Air Force version of a department store. You save money by shopping at the BX, and just about anything you can think of can be bought there. These facilities can range from well-equipped convenience stores to major department stores or even shopping malls selling everything from food to appliances, clothes and hardware and gas for your car. Many bases have a "BX mall," and this facility in most cases will have a barbershop, beauty shop, jewelry shop, dry cleaners, fast-food restaurants, and some small vendors near the main BX entrance. Nearly everything at the BX is the finest quality and prices are much lower (for Air Force people) than stores off the base. At the same time, most Air Force bases tend to attract a crowd of civilian shopping facilities nearby that also cater to Air Force personnel with good merchandise and good prices. The BX, and many of the on-base service stores, are run by the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES).

Family/People/Wellness Centers – These centers are staffed by professionals and are available to provide assistance for a wide variety of your personal needs. Services might range from financial management to smoking cessation classes, from parenting classes to family counseling, career enhancement to queries on new bases.

Hobbies – Trying to figure out what to do with your spare time? Wondering what might be available to keep your family happy? Most bases have diverse recreational facilities: auto hobby shop, movie theater, library, fitness center, bowling lanes, arts and crafts center, tennis courts, athletic fields, picnic areas, and other facilities. Many bases have golf courses, aero clubs, riding clubs, and shooting ranges. Some bases even have their own marina. Many also provide excellent facilities for hobby and craft pursuits such as woodworking, do-it-yourself auto repair shops, computer and personal electronics labs, music, textiles, fine arts and much more. Bases also sponsor intramural and varsity sports teams in many sports like football, basketball, softball, bowling and other sports.

Legal – The base also has legal officers who will help military personnel and their dependents with their legal problems. At one time or another, most officers need legal assistance and advice on matters such as rental contracts, taxes, insurance, wills, powers of attorney and other problems.

Outdoor Recreation – Imagine living an hour from London or Venice. Imagine your base owns a beach on the sunny Gulf Coast of Florida. Imagine you are living a short ride from Mount McKinley, Mount Rushmore or the beaches of Hawaii. Well, many of our Air Force bases are situated in some of the most beautiful and scenic areas of our country, as well as exotic places around the world. Additionally, the base's community center offers low-cost tours and trips to many of these places.

Recreation (Vacation Spots Around the World) – Not sure where to go for vacation? Maybe you should look into some of the Armed Forces Recreation Centers (AFRCs). You can spend time skiing the Alps, enjoying Cape Cod, sunning on the beaches of Hawaii or chatting with Mickey Mouse. One of the hidden benefits you receive is access to the AFRCs around the world. These facilities are situated in some of the most sought-after vacation locations and provide you discounted lodging and discounted tickets to the local sights and attractions.

Recreation (Sports & Fitness) – Your fitness is important to the Air Force; as such, each base has a fitness center-gym; some even have two. Whether it's free weights or aerobic bikes, basketball or racquetball, you'll find a wide variety of fitness equipment and facilities at an Air Force base. And if you like team sports and competition, you'll be interested in some of the many intramural and varsity sports programs on base – like football, basketball, softball, bowling and other sports. Many bases have golf courses, tennis courts, athletic fields, riding clubs and shooting ranges.

The O'Club – The officers' club usually serves the dual function of being a social club and meeting location. Besides a dining room, which usually serves at least lunch and dinner daily, the club carries out a continuing program of parties, dinners, and other entertainment. Many have swimming pools and tennis courts.

Religious Activities – Religious activities on base are much like those in the civilian community. In the base chapel, chaplains of different faiths conduct services and ceremonies according to their faith or denomination. Worship is an important part of life on the base. Air Force members are free to attend, or not attend, religious services of their choice, either on base or off. Most air bases provide chapel services for people of Protestant, Catholic and Jewish faiths. Nearby local churches and synagogues usually have very active programs that attract many Air Force members and families to participate.

Community Outreach – Air Force members and their families often provide outreach assistance to the local communities, in a sense returning some of the goodwill local communities provide the Air Force bases. This can range from food drives and cleanups to flood and natural disaster protection/cleanup.

Fire Prevention/Fire Fighting – Air Force fire fighters and disaster preparedness teams provide quick reaction protection of our base resources as well as providing preventative education for all of the base populace.