Beale Air Force Base

Branch: U.S. Air Force
Location: Marysville, California (Yuba County)
Installation Type: Air Force Base
Status: Active

Overview

Beale Air Force Base, established in 1942 and named after Civil War General Edward Fitzgerald Beale, is located in the Sacramento Valley of northern California, approximately 40 miles north of Sacramento. The installation is home to the 9th Reconnaissance Wing, which operates the U-2 high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft and the RQ-4 Global Hawk unmanned aerial system. Beale AFB is assigned to Air Combat Command (ACC) and is a critical hub for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations worldwide.

Mission & Units

Primary Mission: Conduct high-altitude reconnaissance and surveillance operations globally using the U-2S Dragon Lady and RQ-4 Global Hawk systems to support national and combatant command intelligence requirements.
Major Units:
9th Reconnaissance Wing (9 RW) — host wing, U-2S and RQ-4 Global Hawk
9th Operations Group
9th Mission Support Group
9th Medical Group
940th Air Refueling Wing (Air Force Reserve) — KC-135R Stratotanker
Tenant Units: 13th Intelligence Squadron; 548th Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Group; various Air Force Space Command (now Space Force) liaison elements

Location & Access

Nearest Major City: Sacramento, CA — approximately 40 miles south; Marysville/Yuba City — approximately 12 miles southwest
Nearest Commercial Airport: Sacramento International Airport (SMF) — approximately 45 miles south
Gate Access: CAC or valid military ID required for installation access; visitor control center at main gate issues visitor passes with valid government-issued photo ID, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance; escort may be required for some areas

Population

Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 4,000-5,500
Family Members: Approximately 6,000-9,000
Civilian Employees: Approximately 1,500-2,500
Total Installation Population: Approximately 12,000-17,000

Key Facilities

Medical: Beale Medical Treatment Facility — primary and specialty care available; Sutter Health and Adventist Health facilities serve the regional population for higher-level specialty care
Commissary: Yes — full-service commissary on installation
Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Yes — full-service BX with main store, shoppette, food court, and specialty concessions
Fitness & Recreation: Two fitness centers; outdoor pool; golf course (Coyote Run Golf Course); auto hobby shop; bowling center; outdoor recreation program with rentals; camping and RV park
Schools: No DoDEA schools on installation; Plumas Lake Elementary and Wheatland Union High School districts serve military families in off-base areas; school liaison officer on installation assists families
Childcare: Child Development Center (CDC) on installation; waitlists are common; families encouraged to register upon receipt of orders; school-age care available
Veterinary Services: Military veterinary clinic on installation; routine wellness exams, vaccinations, preventive care, and limited sick call for pets of active duty personnel
Legal Assistance / JAG: 9th Wing Staff Judge Advocate office; legal assistance by appointment; some walk-in services available during designated hours

Housing

On-Base Housing: Managed by Hunt Military Communities; several neighborhoods on installation with 2-, 3-, and 4-bedroom homes; older housing stock with ongoing renovation projects
Average Wait Time: Varies by rank and bedroom requirement; 0-6 months typical; senior officer housing may have shorter waits
Off-Base Housing: Marysville, Yuba City, Wheatland, and Lincoln are popular choices; average rent for a 3-bedroom home approximately $1,500-$2,200/month; home purchase prices moderate compared to broader California market but higher than national average
BAH Rate Reference: Check current BAH rates at the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) website.

PCS & Newcomer Info

Sponsorship Program: Contact the gaining unit’s first sergeant or orderly room upon receipt of orders to be assigned a sponsor; the A&FRC can also facilitate sponsor assignment
In-Processing: Report to the 9th Force Support Squadron upon arrival; typical in-processing spans 3-5 days; includes visits to finance, medical, legal, chapel, and unit
EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): Managed through the A&FRC; enrollment required for families with special needs members before PCS; Sacramento metro area has robust healthcare and educational support resources for most special needs

Local Area & Quality of Life

Climate: Mediterranean/hot summer; very hot dry summers (highs regularly above 100 F in July-August), cool mild winters with occasional valley fog (tule fog); low rainfall concentrated in winter months
Cost of Living: Moderate to High — California costs apply; housing is significantly cheaper than the Bay Area or Los Angeles but above the national average; groceries and services are more expensive than most continental U.S. bases
Nearby Attractions: Sacramento historic district and state capital (40 miles); Lake Tahoe for skiing, hiking, and water sports (approximately 2 hours); Napa and Sonoma wine country (2 hours); Yosemite National Park (3.5 hours); white-water rafting on the American River; Yuba-Sutter area cycling trails
Spouse Employment: Sacramento metro offers state government, healthcare, technology, education, and agriculture employment; Marysville/Yuba City market is smaller; remote work opportunities growing; UC Davis and California State University Sacramento provide higher education options

Contact & Resources

Official Website: https://www.beale.af.mil/
Main Installation Phone: (530) 634-3000
MWR Website: https://www.bealeservices.com/
ACS / Fleet & Family / Airman & Family Readiness: Airman and Family Readiness Center (A&FRC), 9th Force Support Squadron, Beale AFB — (530) 634-2009

Last updated: 2026-02-22
Sources: beale.af.mil, 9th Reconnaissance Wing public affairs, militaryinstallations.dod.mil, Hunt Military Communities; Joseph L. Jordan, Attorney at Law