Branch: U.S. Air Force
Location: Wichita Falls, Texas
Installation Type: Air Force Base
Status: Active

Overview

Sheppard Air Force Base was established in 1941 and is located adjacent to Wichita Falls in north-central Texas, near the Oklahoma border. It is one of the largest Air Education and Training Command (AETC) bases in the Air Force and serves as a major hub for technical training and pilot instruction. Sheppard is home to the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training (ENJJPT) program, the only multinational pilot training program on U.S. soil.

Mission & Units

• Primary Mission: Provide technical training for Air Force enlisted specialties and conduct joint multinational pilot training through the ENJJPT program.
• Major Units:
• 82nd Training Wing (host wing)
• 80th Flying Training Wing (ENJJPT)
• 82nd Medical Group
• 82nd Mission Support Group
• Tenant Units: Defense Contract Audit Agency, various AETC support organizations

Location & Access

• Nearest Major City: Wichita Falls, TX (immediately adjacent); Dallas-Fort Worth, TX (approximately 130 miles south)
• Nearest Commercial Airport: Wichita Falls Regional Airport (SPS) — approximately 5 miles from main gate; Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) — approximately 130 miles south
• Gate Access: Main gate operates 24/7; visitor passes issued at the visitor control center; valid government-issued photo ID required for civilians; CAC holders use dedicated lanes

Population

• Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 7,000-8,000
• Family Members: Approximately 10,000-12,000
• Civilian Employees: Approximately 3,500-4,500
• Total Installation Population: Approximately 20,000-25,000 (including students)

Key Facilities

• Medical: Sheppard Medical Center — provides primary and specialty care; inpatient and outpatient services for active duty and beneficiaries
• Commissary: Yes — full-service commissary located on base
• Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Yes — main BX with retail, food court, and specialty stores
• Fitness & Recreation: Multiple fitness centers (Cobb Fitness Center), outdoor pools, intramural sports, bowling center, golf course, recreational vehicle storage
• Schools: Burkburnett and Wichita Falls Independent School Districts serve dependent children; no DoDEA schools on installation
• Childcare: Child Development Center on base; waitlists common — contact CDC directly for current availability
• Veterinary Services: Sheppard AFB Veterinary Treatment Facility — provides care for military working dogs and pet care for eligible beneficiaries by appointment
• Legal Assistance / JAG: 82nd Training Wing Legal Office — appointment-based legal assistance for eligible personnel; limited walk-in hours available

Housing

• On-Base Housing: Managed by Balfour Beatty Communities — includes multiple neighborhoods for junior enlisted, NCOs, and officer families; approximately 1,200+ units
• Average Wait Time: Varies by rank and family size; typically weeks to several months for some grades; contact housing office upon PCS orders receipt
• Off-Base Housing: Wichita Falls offers affordable housing; average rent for a 2-3 bedroom home or apartment ranges approximately $900-$1,400/month; neighborhoods in Burkburnett and Wichita Falls are popular
• BAH Rate Reference: Check current BAH rates at the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) website.

PCS & Newcomer Info

• Sponsorship Program: Request a sponsor through your gaining unit; the 82nd Training Wing sponsorship program can be initiated by contacting the unit’s first sergeant or through MyPers
• In-Processing: Report to the 82nd MSS Consolidated Base Personnel Office (CBPO); in-processing typically takes 2-5 days; newcomer’s orientation briefings are scheduled regularly
• EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): Managed through the Sheppard Medical Center and Airman & Family Readiness Center; enrollment required prior to PCS; contact the EFMP coordinator at the medical group

Local Area & Quality of Life

• Climate: Hot semi-arid climate; hot summers with temperatures frequently exceeding 100 degrees F; mild winters with occasional ice storms; low annual rainfall; frequent wind
• Cost of Living: Low — Wichita Falls is significantly below the national average for housing and overall cost of living
• Nearby Attractions: Lake Arrowhead State Park (approximately 15 miles), Lake Texoma (approximately 60 miles), historic downtown Wichita Falls, Wichita Falls Museum of Art, Texas-Oklahoma border day trips
• Spouse Employment: Wichita Falls job market is modest; major employers include United Regional Health Care System, Wichita Falls ISD, and state/local government; remote work is popular among military spouses

Contact & Resources

• Official Website: https://www.sheppard.af.mil/
• Main Installation Phone: (940) 676-2511
• MWR Website: https://www.sheppardservices.com/
• ACS / Fleet & Family / Airman & Family Readiness: Airman & Family Readiness Center (A&FRC) — Building 1657; call (940) 676-4925 for appointments and services

Last updated: 2026-02-22
Sources: www.sheppard.af.mil, AETC official resources, militaryinstallations.dod.mil, personal knowledge base through August 2025