Hunter Army Airfield

Branch: U.S. Army
Location: Savannah, Georgia
Installation Type: Army Airfield
Status: Active

Overview

Hunter Army Airfield (HAAF) is a U.S. Army installation located in Savannah, Georgia, established in 1929 as Savannah Airport and later redesignated in honor of Major Frank O’Driscoll Hunter. It serves as a sub-installation of Fort Stewart and functions as the primary airfield supporting the rapid deployment mission of the 3rd Infantry Division. Hunter AAF provides airfield operations, aviation training, and power-projection capabilities for units assigned to the Savannah area.

Mission & Units

Primary Mission: Support strategic airlift, aviation operations, and rapid deployment of 3rd Infantry Division aviation and combat elements.
Major Units:
3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division (primary tenant)
1st Battalion, 10th Aviation Regiment
3rd General Support Aviation Battalion
3rd Special Troops Battalion (aviation elements)
Tenant Units: U.S. Army Reserve units; Defense Contract Management Agency; Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) operations

Location & Access

Nearest Major City: Savannah, Georgia (approximately 8 miles from downtown Savannah)
Nearest Commercial Airport: Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV), approximately 9 miles northwest
Gate Access: Main gate operates 24 hours; valid CAC, Uniformed Services ID, or visitor pass required. Visitors must obtain a visitor pass at the Visitor Control Center. Real ID-compliant driver’s license required for unescorted access if no federal ID is held.

Population

Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 5,000 (combined with Fort Stewart population)
Family Members: Approximately 6,000–8,000 (Hunter AAF area)
Civilian Employees: Approximately 1,000–2,000
Total Installation Population: Not publicly available (figures combined with Fort Stewart)

Key Facilities

Medical: Winn Army Community Hospital is located at Fort Stewart (approximately 45 miles away); Hunter AAF has an on-post troop medical clinic for sick call and primary care services.
Commissary: Yes — full-service commissary located on Hunter AAF, serving the Savannah-area military community.
Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Yes — Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) main exchange and shoppette on post.
Fitness & Recreation: Physical Fitness Centers on post; outdoor recreation areas; access to Fort Stewart’s full MWR facilities including pools and sports fields.
Schools: Hunter AAF is served by Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools; no DoDEA school on the installation. Bryan County Schools also serve Fort Stewart families.
Childcare: Child Development Center (CDC) on post; waitlists are common — early enrollment contact is strongly recommended upon PCS orders receipt.
Veterinary Services: Veterinary Treatment Facility on post offering preventive care, vaccinations, and pet health certificates for military working animals and privately owned pets of military personnel.
Legal Assistance / JAG: Office of the Staff Judge Advocate is located on Hunter AAF; appointments required for most services; walk-in hours may be available — contact the JAG office at DSN 971 for current hours.

Housing

On-Post Housing: Managed by Corvias Military Living; neighborhoods include Aiken Loop and surrounding areas; mix of older and renovated homes.
Average Wait Time: Wait times vary by rank and family size; 2-6 months is common for larger homes; check with Corvias housing office upon receipt of orders.
Off-Post Housing: Popular communities include Savannah, Pooler, Richmond Hill, and Hinesville (near Fort Stewart). Average rent in the Savannah metro area ranges from approximately $1,400–$2,200/month for 2-3 bedroom homes (rates subject to change).
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’s S1 or unit sponsorship coordinator; ACS (Army Community Service) can assist with newcomer packets and sponsor matching.
In-Processing: Report to the Consolidated In-Processing (CIP) Center on post; in-processing typically takes 2-5 business days and includes medical records, finance, housing, and ID card appointments.
EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): EFMP enrollment is managed through Winn Army Community Hospital at Fort Stewart; contact the EFMP office for enrollment requirements, medical screening, and school liaison support. Phone: (912) 435-5722 (verify current number upon PCS).

Local Area & Quality of Life

Climate: Humid subtropical; hot summers with high humidity, mild winters; hurricane season runs June through November.
Cost of Living: Moderate — Savannah offers a lower cost of living compared to many coastal cities, though housing costs have risen in recent years due to population growth.
Nearby Attractions: Historic Savannah downtown and riverfront; Tybee Island beaches (approximately 18 miles); Jekyll Island and Golden Isles (approximately 80 miles south).
Spouse Employment: Savannah’s growing economy, including the Savannah port expansion, healthcare sector, and tourism industry, provides moderate employment opportunities; Georgia has reciprocity protections for military spouse professional licenses.

Contact & Resources

Official Website: https://home.army.mil/hunter
Main Installation Phone: (912) 315-0011 (Fort Stewart/Hunter AAF main line)
MWR Website: https://forthunter.armymwr.com
ACS / Army Community Service: Hunter AAF Army Community Service, Building 1286, Lindquist Road; (912) 315-6816 (verify current number)

Last updated: 2026-02-22
Sources: U.S. Army official installation page (home.army.mil/hunter); Fort Stewart/Hunter AAF MWR; Army Community Service information; Corvias Military Living; general knowledge of installation as of August 2025; Joseph L. Jordan, Attorney at Law