Arnold Air Force Base

Branch: U.S. Air Force
Location: Coffee County / Moore County, Tennessee (near Tullahoma, TN)
Installation Type: Air Force Base (Test and Evaluation Facility)
Status: Active

Overview

Arnold Air Force Base, established in 1951 and named after General of the Air Force Henry H. “Hap” Arnold, is located in the hills of middle Tennessee near the city of Tullahoma. It is home to the Arnold Engineering Development Complex (AEDC), the most advanced aerospace ground test facility in the world. The installation is a tenant of Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC) and focuses exclusively on developmental test and evaluation of aerospace systems.

Mission & Units

Primary Mission: Conduct developmental test and evaluation of aerospace systems, including propulsion, aerodynamics, and space systems, in world-class ground test facilities operated by AEDC.
Major Units:
Arnold Engineering Development Complex (AEDC)
704th Test Group (subordinate to AEDC)
Air Force Test Center (AFTC) tenant relationship
Tenant Units: Jacobs Technology (primary contractor operating AEDC facilities); various defense contractor test teams on rotation

Location & Access

Nearest Major City: Nashville, TN — approximately 80 miles northwest; Huntsville, AL — approximately 75 miles south
Nearest Commercial Airport: Nashville International Airport (BNA) — approximately 80 miles; Huntsville International Airport (HSV) — approximately 75 miles
Gate Access: CAC or valid government ID required for access; visitor passes issued at the main gate with valid government-issued photo ID and vehicle registration; hours vary by gate — check with installation security forces

Population

Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 200-400 (small military cadre; predominantly contractor workforce)
Family Members: Not publicly available
Civilian Employees: Approximately 3,000-4,000 (government civilians and contractors combined)
Total Installation Population: Approximately 3,500-4,500 (predominantly civilian/contractor)

Key Facilities

Medical: Limited medical support; nearest full military medical facility is at Fort Campbell, KY; Vanderbilt Medical Center and Erlanger Health System serve the region
Commissary: Yes — small commissary available on installation
Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Yes — small BX facility available
Fitness & Recreation: Fitness center available; outdoor recreation opportunities on the extensive installation grounds including Lake Tullahoma recreation area
Schools: No DoDEA schools on installation; served by Coffee County and Moore County public school districts
Childcare: Child Development Center available; contact installation for current capacity and waitlist status
Veterinary Services: Limited veterinary services; nearest full military vet clinic is Fort Campbell; civilian veterinary services available in Tullahoma area
Legal Assistance / JAG: Legal assistance available through installation; appointment recommended; contact Staff Judge Advocate office at Arnold AFB

Housing

On-Base Housing: Limited on-base housing due to small active-duty footprint; managed by Hunt Military Communities; most military families live off-base
Average Wait Time: Not publicly available
Off-Base Housing: Tullahoma, Manchester, Shelbyville, and Lynchburg offer affordable housing options; average rent for a 3-bedroom home ranges approximately $900-$1,400/month; home purchase prices well below national average
BAH Rate Reference: Check current BAH rates at the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) website.

PCS & Newcomer Info

Sponsorship Program: Contact the Airman and Family Readiness Center (A&FRC) or gaining unit upon receipt of orders to request a sponsor
In-Processing: Report to the Military Personnel Section (MPS) upon arrival; in-processing typically takes 1-3 days; contact unit orderly room for guidance
EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): Enrollment through the A&FRC; families with special needs should contact EFMP coordinator prior to PCS to assess local support availability; some specialized services may require travel to Nashville or Huntsville

Local Area & Quality of Life

Climate: Humid subtropical; warm summers (highs in the upper 80s-low 90s F), mild winters with occasional snow and ice; moderate rainfall year-round
Cost of Living: Low — significantly below the national average; housing, food, and services are very affordable in middle Tennessee
Nearby Attractions: Jack Daniel’s Distillery in Lynchburg (14 miles); Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration in Shelbyville; Tims Ford State Park and Tims Ford Lake for boating, fishing, and camping; short drive to Nashville for major entertainment and dining
Spouse Employment: Job market in the Tullahoma/Manchester area is limited; Nashville metro offers broader employment opportunities but requires a commute; remote work is increasingly common among military spouses here

Contact & Resources

Official Website: https://www.arnold.af.mil/
Main Installation Phone: (931) 454-3000
MWR Website: Not publicly available (contact installation MWR office directly)
ACS / Fleet & Family / Airman & Family Readiness: Airman and Family Readiness Center (A&FRC), Arnold AFB — (931) 454-3000 (main line; ask for A&FRC)

Last updated: 2026-02-22
Sources: arnold.af.mil, AFMC public affairs, militaryinstallations.dod.mil, AEDC public affairs releases