Goodfellow Air Force Base

Branch: U.S. Air Force
Location: San Angelo, Texas
Installation Type: Air Force Base
Status: Active

Overview

Goodfellow Air Force Base is located within the city limits of San Angelo in west-central Texas. Home of the 17th Training Wing, Goodfellow specializes in intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and fire protection training. The installation trains more intelligence personnel than any other location in the U.S. military – approximately 15,000 students annually from all services and interagency partners. Goodfellow has been continuously active since 1940 and is named after First Lieutenant John J. Goodfellow Jr., a World War I aviator who was killed in action in 1918.

Mission & Units

Primary Mission: Train, develop, and graduate intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR) professionals and firefighters for the joint force; serve as the center of excellence for ISR and fire protection training.
Major Units: 17th Training Wing (host wing); 17th Training Group; 315th Training Squadron (cryptologic and intelligence training); 316th Training Squadron; 344th Military Intelligence Battalion (Army ISR training); Fire Protection Apprentice Course
Tenant Units: Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base elements (for Navy/Marine student training); Army and joint service intelligence student population; other service schoolhouse detachments

Location & Access

Nearest Major City: San Angelo, TX (population approximately 100,000) immediately adjacent; Abilene, TX – approximately 90 miles northeast; Midland, TX – approximately 115 miles west
Nearest Commercial Airport: San Angelo Regional Airport (SJT) – approximately 10 miles from base
Gate Access: Main gate; CAC/military ID required; visitor passes at Visitor Control Center; student population creates high-volume gate access

Population

Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 2,500 (permanent party; student population adds 3,000-5,000 at any time)
Family Members: Approximately 3,000
Civilian Employees: Approximately 1,000
Total Installation Population: Approximately 8,000-10,000 (including student population)

Key Facilities

Medical: 17th Medical Group Clinic; primary care, dental, behavioral health, and preventive medicine; specialty referrals to civilian Shannon Medical Center in San Angelo or BAMC in San Antonio for complex cases
Commissary: Yes – commissary on base
Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Yes – AAFES facilities on base; smaller exchange reflective of the training mission
Fitness & Recreation: Fitness centers; pool; MWR programs; San Angelo’s outdoor recreation along the Concho River and O.C. Fisher Reservoir
Schools: San Angelo Independent School District serves military families; no DoDEA schools; San Angelo ISD has solid public schools
Childcare: Child Development Center on base; waitlists possible; contact Child and Youth Services at (325) 654-3221
Veterinary Services: Veterinary Treatment Facility on base; wellness and preventive care; call for appointments
Legal Assistance / JAG: Legal Assistance Office; appointment-based; contact through 17th Wing directory

Housing

On-Post Housing: Privatized housing on base; family and unaccompanied housing; training base character means housing is sized for permanent party population
Average Wait Time: Generally available without long waits due to training base character
Off-Post Housing: San Angelo is an affordable west Texas city; average rent approximately $1,000-$1,500/month for 3-bedroom home; many neighborhoods close to base; college-town amenities from Angelo State University
BAH Rate Reference: Check current BAH rates at Defense Travel Management Office (dtmo.mil)

PCS & Newcomer Info

Sponsorship Program: Contact gaining unit; 17th Training Wing sponsorship program
In-Processing: 17th Wing in-processing center; typically 2-3 days; students have separate student in-processing through their respective training squadrons
EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): Airman and Family Readiness Center; enrollment required; San Angelo has limited specialist medical services; complex cases may require San Antonio travel

Local Area & Quality of Life

Climate: Semi-arid; hot dry summers (average high 95F/35C in July); mild winters (average low 32F/0C in January); generally sunny; occasional severe thunderstorms in spring; very little winter precipitation
Cost of Living: Low; San Angelo and west Texas are among the most affordable areas in the country; no state income tax in Texas
Nearby Attractions: San Angelo State Park and O.C. Fisher Reservoir (water recreation); San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts; San Angelo Rodeo; Lake Nasworthy; Abilene (90 miles) and Big Spring area (90 miles) for additional options; Big Bend National Park (4 hours)
Spouse Employment: Limited in San Angelo; government contracting and healthcare are primary employers; Angelo State University (approximately 10,000 students) provides some opportunities; remote work increasingly important for spouses; A&FRC assists

Contact & Resources

Official Website: https://www.goodfellow.af.mil
Main Installation Phone: (325) 654-3231
MWR Website: Verify current URL at https://www.goodfellow.af.mil
ACS / Fleet & Family / Airman & Family Readiness: Airman and Family Readiness Center (A&FRC), Goodfellow AFB; (325) 654-3090; relocation, financial readiness, employment, family support

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