Edwards Air Force Base

Edwards Air Force Base is home to the world’s largest airfield, the Air Force Test Pilot School and the Air Force Test Center, according to the Edwards MilitaryINSTALLATIONS page. The base is operated by the 412th Test Wing, which oversees day-to-day operations and supports 11,500 military members, federal civilians and contract employees on the 484-square-mile installation in California’s Mojave Desert region.

Check-in

“Your first stop is your unit’s commander support staff”, and your CSS processes all gain actions, so bring your PCS package from your last base, the check-in page says. If you arrive after duty hours, your 24-hour arrival point is the Base Lodging Office in Building 5602, the High Desert Inn (661-275-7666). If your unit has no CSS, contact the Military Personnel Flight in Building 3000, 5 N. Seller Ave. (661-277-4281).

The Newcomers Orientation and Informational Brief is held the first Thursday of each month at Club Muroc, Building 5600; it is mandatory for service members and voluntary for DoW civilians and families. Register with the Military and Family Readiness Center at 661-277-0723. Eligible families may also receive Air and Space Forces Aid Society child care help of $200 per child up to age 12, not to exceed $1,000 per household.

Housing: Mayroad

“All members arriving on station (who are not residing in the dormitories) must check in with the MHO, even if you do not plan to live on base”, per the housing page. “On-base housing on Edwards AFB is privatized and managed by Mayroad” (661-385-6060). Military Housing Office, 1365 Fitz-Gerald Blvd.: 661-277-4506. Before you PCS, you can use the Housing Early Assistance Tool to connect with the housing office.

Medical care: no emergency care on base

At the 412th Medical Group, “There is no intensive care, obstetrics services or emergency care”, the health care page says. For emergencies, dial 911 for the local area ambulance, or go to the nearest emergency room off base, Antelope Valley Hospital at 1600 West Ave. J in Lancaster, about 30 minutes from the main base. From a cell phone on base, the motor vehicles page says to dial 661-277-3340 for emergencies; 911 works from base and housing LAN lines. The 412th Medical Group clinic is at 30 Nightingale Rd., Building 5525 (661-277-7118).

Schools: Muroc Joint Unified School District

“The schools located on Edwards AFB are public schools and are operated by Muroc Joint Unified School District (MJUSD) within Kern County, CA”, per the education page. On-base schools include William A. Bailey Elementary and Irving L. Branch Elementary.

Getting there

If you fly into Los Angeles International Airport, your sponsor can pick you up or you can take the Antelope Valley Airport Express, which drops off in Lancaster and Palmdale, the Edwards overview says. The overview lists van fares from LAX of $67 one way prepaid and recommends reserving before you arrive.

Before you arrive

Check in with the MHO even if you plan to live off base, save the cell phone emergency number, register for the first-Thursday orientation, and reserve the airport van if you are not being picked up.