Branch: U.S. Air Force
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
Installation Type: Air Force Base
Status: Active

Overview

Nellis Air Force Base was established in 1941 as the Las Vegas Army Air Field and is located approximately 8 miles northeast of Las Vegas, Nevada. It is one of the most storied combat air bases in the U.S. Air Force and serves as the home of advanced aerial combat training and the Nevada Test and Training Range (NTTR). Nellis hosts the U.S. Air Force Weapons School, the Air Force’s premier advanced tactics and weapons employment training institution, and is a major hub for large-force exercise events such as Red Flag.

Mission & Units

• Primary Mission: Provide advanced combat training, test and evaluation support, and conduct large-force employment exercises through the Nevada Test and Training Range.
• Major Units:
• 99th Air Base Wing (host wing)
• 57th Wing (largest combat wing in the Air Force)
• U.S. Air Force Weapons School
• 53rd Wing (Det. — test and evaluation)
• 98th Range Wing (manages NTTR)
• 432nd Wing / 432nd Air Expeditionary Wing (MQ-9 Reaper operations)
• Tenant Units: Defense Threat Reduction Agency elements, USAF Thunderbirds (based at Nellis), various Air Force test and aggressor units

Location & Access

• Nearest Major City: Las Vegas, NV — approximately 8 miles southwest
• Nearest Commercial Airport: Harry Reid International Airport (LAS), approximately 12 miles from the main gate
• Gate Access: Main gate is open 24/7 for authorized personnel. Visitors require a valid government-issued photo ID and must obtain a visitor pass at the Visitor Control Center (VCC). CAC required for unescorted access; RealID-compliant ID accepted at visitor processing. Hours at secondary gates vary.

Population

• Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 8,000-10,000
• Family Members: Approximately 12,000-15,000
• Civilian Employees: Approximately 3,000-4,000
• Total Installation Population: Approximately 25,000-30,000 (including contractors)

Key Facilities

• Medical: Mike O’Callaghan Military Medical Center — provides primary, specialty, and emergency care; full-service military treatment facility
• Commissary: Yes — full-size commissary located on base
• Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Yes — large BX with main store, food court, and specialty shops
• Fitness & Recreation: Multiple fitness centers, indoor and outdoor pools, golf course (Sunrise Vista Golf Course), bowling center, auto hobby shop, outdoor recreation center, Las Vegas Motor Speedway partnership events
• Schools: Clark County School District serves dependent children; no DoDEA schools on Nellis itself; several elementary and secondary schools in the surrounding North Las Vegas area
• Childcare: Child Development Center (CDC) on base; high demand and waitlists are common; School Age Program also available
• Veterinary Services: Nellis Veterinary Treatment Facility — provides routine care, vaccinations, and preventive services for military working dogs and privately-owned pets of eligible personnel
• Legal Assistance / JAG: Legal office located on base — services include wills, powers of attorney, and legal advice; primarily appointment-based with limited walk-in hours

Housing

• On-Base Housing: Managed by Lend Lease (now known as Michaels Military Housing); several neighborhoods on and adjacent to base including Sunrise Vista and Kirtland Village-style units; mix of older and renovated units
• Average Wait Time: Varies by rank and family size; E1-E5 with dependents may wait several months; E6+ and officers generally shorter waits
• Off-Base Housing: North Las Vegas and surrounding Henderson areas are common; average rent for a 3-bedroom home ranges approximately $1,800-$2,400/month (2024 estimates); housing market is competitive
• BAH Rate Reference: Check current BAH rates at the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) website.

PCS & Newcomer Info

• Sponsorship Program: Sponsors are assigned through the gaining unit; contact the unit’s orderly room or First Sergeant to request a sponsor prior to arrival
• In-Processing: Report to the Nellis AFB Newcomers/In-Processing Center; in-processing typically takes 2-5 days and covers base orientation, medical, finance, housing, and unit check-in
• EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): Located at the Airman & Family Readiness Center; enrollment required prior to PCS for eligible family members; contact the A&FRC for guidance on local support services and school district coordination

Local Area & Quality of Life

• Climate: Hot desert climate (BWh); summers are extremely hot with temperatures regularly exceeding 105-110 degrees F; winters are mild; very low humidity and minimal rainfall year-round
• Cost of Living: Moderate — Nevada has no state income tax, which partially offsets housing and utility costs; Las Vegas overall is moderate relative to national average but rising
• Nearby Attractions: Las Vegas Strip (entertainment, dining, shows), Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Hoover Dam, Valley of Fire State Park
• Spouse Employment: Las Vegas has a large service-sector economy (hospitality, gaming, healthcare, logistics); job opportunities are available, though many are shift-based; remote work is increasingly common; Nevada WorkForce One and Military Spouse Employment Partnership resources available

Contact & Resources

• Official Website: https://www.nellis.af.mil/
• Main Installation Phone: (702) 652-1110
• MWR Website: https://www.travelersrest.com/ (Nellis AFB MWR)
• ACS / Fleet & Family / Airman & Family Readiness: Airman & Family Readiness Center (A&FRC), Nellis AFB — (702) 652-3327

Last updated: 2026-02-22
Sources: nellis.af.mil, militaryinstallations.dod.mil, AHRN housing data, public DoD records, Joseph L. Jordan, Attorney at Law