Seymour Johnson Air Force Base

Branch: U.S. Air Force
Location: Goldsboro, North Carolina
Installation Type: Air Force Base
Status: Active

Overview

Seymour Johnson Air Force Base is located adjacent to Goldsboro, North Carolina, in the coastal plain region approximately 60 miles southeast of Raleigh. Home of the 4th Fighter Wing – one of the Air Force’s premier fighter wings – Seymour Johnson operates the F-15E Strike Eagle, the Air Force’s primary dual-role strike fighter. The 4th Fighter Wing carries the proud heritage of the World War II “4th Fighter Group,” which claimed more enemy aircraft kills than any other USAAF group in World War II. The base is named for Navy Ensign Seymour A. Johnson, a Goldsboro native who was killed in a 1941 aircraft accident.

Mission & Units

Primary Mission: Conduct dual-role air superiority and precision strike operations with the F-15E Strike Eagle; train F-15E aircrew for Air Combat Command and the joint force; deploy worldwide in support of combatant command requirements.
Major Units: 4th Fighter Wing (host wing, F-15E Strike Eagle); 333rd Fighter Squadron; 334th Fighter Squadron; 335th Fighter Squadron; 336th Fighter Squadron; 4th Operations Group; 4th Maintenance Group
Tenant Units: Air Force Reserve 916th Air Refueling Wing (KC-135); 414th Fighter Group (AFRC, F-15E associate); various Air Combat Command support elements

Location & Access

Nearest Major City: Goldsboro, NC (population approximately 34,000) immediately adjacent; Raleigh-Durham, NC – approximately 60 miles west; Fayetteville, NC (Fort Bragg) – approximately 70 miles southwest
Nearest Commercial Airport: Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) – approximately 60 miles west; Albert J. Ellis Airport (OAJ) in Jacksonville, NC – approximately 70 miles east
Gate Access: Main gate on Berkshire Road; east gate; CAC/military ID required; visitor passes at Visitor Control Center

Population

Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 6,200
Family Members: Approximately 9,000
Civilian Employees: Approximately 3,000
Total Installation Population: Approximately 18,000

Key Facilities

Medical: 4th Medical Group Clinic; primary care, dental, behavioral health, and flight medicine; specialty referrals to UNC Health or Duke Health in Raleigh-Durham (60 miles); Wayne Memorial Hospital in Goldsboro also provides local coverage
Commissary: Yes – commissary on base
Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Yes – AAFES exchange and facilities
Fitness & Recreation: Fitness centers; outdoor pool; golf course (Eagle’s Nest Golf Club); bowling; auto skills; proximity to North Carolina beaches (Atlantic Beach, Emerald Isle: 80 miles), mountains (3 hours), and Raleigh entertainment
Schools: Wayne County Public Schools and Goldsboro City Schools serve military families; no DoDEA schools; school quality in Wayne County varies; many families commute to Raleigh suburban school districts; Raleigh’s Wake County schools are among North Carolina’s best
Childcare: Child Development Center on base; waitlists common; register early
Veterinary Services: Veterinary Treatment Facility on base; wellness and preventive care
Legal Assistance / JAG: Legal Assistance Office; appointment-based

Housing

On-Post Housing: Privatized housing on base; managed by Balfour Beatty Communities; mix of family housing neighborhoods; condition generally good
Average Wait Time: 30-60 days typical; Goldsboro off-post housing is affordable; some families choose to live toward Raleigh for school quality
Off-Post Housing: Goldsboro, Pikeville, Mount Olive, and communities along US-70 toward Raleigh are popular; some families settle in Smithfield or Clayton (30-45 minutes to base) for better school options and suburban amenities; average rent approximately $1,200-$1,800/month for 3-bedroom home; Eastern North Carolina is affordable; no state income tax on military pay in North Carolina
BAH Rate Reference: Check current BAH rates at Defense Travel Management Office (dtmo.mil)

PCS & Newcomer Info

Sponsorship Program: Contact gaining unit; 4th Fighter Wing sponsorship program; F-15E community is tight-knit
In-Processing: 4th Wing in-processing; typically 2-3 days; flying squadron in-processing for rated aircrew; weapons school graduates and experienced F-15E crews are a strong influence on unit culture
EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): Airman and Family Readiness Center; enrollment required; Wayne County specialist availability is limited; Raleigh-Durham (60 miles) provides outstanding specialist access through UNC Health, Duke Health, and WakeMed

Local Area & Quality of Life

Climate: Humid subtropical; hot humid summers (average high 90F/32C in July); mild winters (average low 32F/0C in January); occasional ice storms and winter precipitation; spring and fall are pleasant; hurricane risk from Atlantic storms (coastal North Carolina)
Cost of Living: Low; Goldsboro and Eastern North Carolina are very affordable; Raleigh-Durham area is more expensive if choosing that commute; no state income tax on military pay in North Carolina
Nearby Attractions: North Carolina beaches (Atlantic Beach, Emerald Isle, Topsail Island: 60-90 miles); Raleigh cultural amenities, NC State University, and Research Triangle Park tech corridor (60 miles); Great Smoky Mountains National Park (4 hours); Goldsboro arts and Waynesborough Historical Village; USS North Carolina Battleship Memorial in Wilmington (90 miles)
Spouse Employment: Goldsboro employment options are limited; healthcare (Wayne Memorial, Vidant), education, retail, and local government are primary employers; Raleigh-Durham Research Triangle (60 miles) offers extensive technology, pharmaceutical, government, and university employment; remote work is common for spouses at Seymour; A&FRC assists

Contact & Resources

Official Website: https://www.seymourjohnson.af.mil
Main Installation Phone: (919) 722-1110
MWR Website: https://sjfss.com
ACS / Fleet & Family / Airman & Family Readiness: Airman and Family Readiness Center (A&FRC), Seymour Johnson AFB; (919) 722-5548; relocation, financial readiness, employment, family support

Last updated: 2026-02-23
Sources: https://www.seymourjohnson.af.mil; https://installations.militaryonesource.mil/in-depth-overview/seymour-johnson-air-force-base; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SeymourJohnsonAirForceBase, Joseph L. Jordan, Attorney at Law